The faithful duplication of the genetic material is arguably the most fundamental of all biological processes. For DNA viruses as for cells, a complex repertoire of proteins mediates DNA synthesis and coordinates replication with recombination and repair. In this proposal, we present our plan for continued investigation of how vaccinia virus, the prototypic poxvirus, accomplishes genome replication. Poxviruses are among the only DNA viruses whose infectious cycle is restricted to the cytoplasm of infected cells. This autonomy from the host nucleus poses unusual challenges, in that the virus must encode a complete replication apparatus and establish dedicated cytoplasmic sites for replication. Poxviruses represent intriguing model systems in addition to being of significant biomedical importance. The impact of our studies is further strengthened by the importance of the viral replication proteins as targets for the development of rational antiviral therapies. During the next funding period, we will utilize genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches to further elucidate the replication of vaccinia virus by focusing on the following three aims:
AIM I : Analysis of the E9/A20/UDG polymerase holoenzyme in replication and repair. We will continue our studies of the DNA polymerase complex, which is comprised of the E9 DNA Pol and a heterodimeric processivity factor consisting of the A20 and D4 proteins. We will focus on understanding the mechanism whereby UDG/A20 confers processivity on Pol. Because D4 is an active uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG), we will investigate how replication-associated base excision repair is accomplished by viral and cellular proteins.
AIM II : Analysis of the mechanism of DNA replication, and investigation of the contributions of the D5 primase/helicase, the A50 ligase, and the G5 nuclease to this process. We will revisit the mechanism of poxvirus replication and assess the possible involvement of both leading and lagging strand synthesis. In this context, we will continue our analysis of the essential D5 ATPase, which is likely to have both primase and helicase activity. We will also investigate the roles of the viral DNA ligase and the G5 protein, which has homology to FEN1 nucleases, in the replication and maturation of the viral genome.
AIM III : Analysis of the assembly and structure of viral replication factories. Viral replication takes place in dedicated cytoplasmic regions known as replication factories. These factories are delimited by, and associated with, membranes derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We will test our hypothesis that the abundant H5 protein serves as a scaffold within the factories. Furthermore, we will use a targeted siRNA library to identify cellular membrane-trafficking proteins that contribute to the reorganization of the ER for the purpose of replication factory assembly.

Public Health Relevance

Smallpox was one of mankind's greatest plagues until worldwide vaccination with vaccinia virus eliminated it as a natural threat. The fear that smallpox might be used as a bioterrorist weapon, and the recognition that monkeypox virus is a cause of human morbidity and mortality, has reinforced the need to study poxviral replication. The development of rational antiviral therapies relies on the knowledge gained from such studies;moreover, this work will provide fundamental insights into the replication and repair of the genetic material.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AI021758-27
Application #
8237218
Study Section
Virology - A Study Section (VIRA)
Program Officer
Challberg, Mark D
Project Start
1984-12-01
Project End
2017-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
27
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$382,500
Indirect Cost
$132,500
Name
Medical College of Wisconsin
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
937639060
City
Milwaukee
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53226
Greseth, Matthew D; Czarnecki, Maciej W; Bluma, Matthew S et al. (2018) Isolation and Characterization of v?I3 Confirm that Vaccinia Virus SSB Plays an Essential Role in Viral Replication. J Virol 92:
Czarnecki, Maciej W; Traktman, Paula (2017) The vaccinia virus DNA polymerase and its processivity factor. Virus Res 234:193-206
Boyle, Kathleen A; Greseth, Matthew D; Traktman, Paula (2015) Genetic Confirmation that the H5 Protein Is Required for Vaccinia Virus DNA Replication. J Virol 89:6312-27
Greseth, Matthew D; Boyle, Kathleen A; Bluma, Matthew S et al. (2012) Molecular genetic and biochemical characterization of the vaccinia virus I3 protein, the replicative single-stranded DNA binding protein. J Virol 86:6197-209
Boyle, Kathleen A; Stanitsa, Eleni S; Greseth, Matthew D et al. (2011) Evaluation of the role of the vaccinia virus uracil DNA glycosylase and A20 proteins as intrinsic components of the DNA polymerase holoenzyme. J Biol Chem 286:24702-13
Wiebe, Matthew S; Traktman, Paula (2007) Poxviral B1 kinase overcomes barrier to autointegration factor, a host defense against virus replication. Cell Host Microbe 1:187-97
Boyle, Kathleen A; Arps, Lisa; Traktman, Paula (2007) Biochemical and genetic analysis of the vaccinia virus d5 protein: Multimerization-dependent ATPase activity is required to support viral DNA replication. J Virol 81:844-59
Stanitsa, Eleni S; Arps, Lisa; Traktman, Paula (2006) Vaccinia virus uracil DNA glycosylase interacts with the A20 protein to form a heterodimeric processivity factor for the viral DNA polymerase. J Biol Chem 281:3439-51
Boyle, Kathleen A; Traktman, Paula (2004) Members of a novel family of mammalian protein kinases complement the DNA-negative phenotype of a vaccinia virus ts mutant defective in the B1 kinase. J Virol 78:1992-2005
Traktman, Paula; Boyle, Kathleen (2004) Methods for analysis of poxvirus DNA replication. Methods Mol Biol 269:169-86

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