Recently, hepatitis C virus (HCV) strains that are infectious in human hepatoma cells were identified. This provides the first opportunity to study how the virus enters and exits liver cells. We propose a combinatorial analysis to dissect the roles of cellular membrane trafficking pathways in HCV infection. We will integrate RNA interference (RNAi) analysis, live cell microscopy, viral genetics, and biochemistry to probe viral trafficking in the infected cell. This will be especially fruitful, since HCV uses membrane trafficking pathways at each step of its life cycle in a series of complex interactions. An siRNA library was assembled that targets 144 genes that participate in all known membrane trafficking pathways. We have interrogated this library and identified 48 host genes that are required for HCV infection. These genes cluster into specific pathways of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, cytoskeletal re- organization, endocytic trafficking, phosphatidyl inositol (PI) signaling, membrane re-organization, Golgi structure, and components of the secretory pathway. We have assigned roles for these genes in viral infection using HCV cell culture systems that isolate specific stages of the viral life cycle, including HCV pseudo-particles (HCV entry) and sub-genomic HCV replicons (HCV replication). HCV trafficking in the infected cell will then be analyzed by combining the specific inhibitory siRNAs with microscopy and biochemical approaches to determine the sequence of events in HCV entry and egress. Genetic and biochemical approaches are described to define the functions of endocytic trafficking and phosphatidyl inositol (PI) signaling in the formation of HCV replication complexes.
The specific aims are: 1. Molecular characterization of membrane trafficking pathways for HCV entry into cells. We will define the requirements for 17 host genes in 3 pathways for the distinct stages of HCV entry: 2. Identify the mechanism of HCV-induced membrane re-organization for establishing replication. We will investigate the function of endocytic trafficking and PI-4 kinase IIIa in membrane re-arrangements leading to the establishment of HCV replication complexes. 3. Identify membrane trafficking pathways important for HCV particle maturation and egress. We will target the host genes involved in egress to characterize the stages of virion egress and maturation. These studies will illuminate major stages of the viral life cycle that are currently poorly characterized. Additionally, these data will further develop our understanding into the components and regulation of human membrane trafficking pathways using a highly relevant and complex probe (HCV).

Public Health Relevance

170 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can lead to liver cancer and end stage liver disease. This proposal investigates the roles of human genes in the entry, replication, and exit of hepatitis C virus from infected liver cells. These studies will investigate the mechanism of HCV replication and identify key contributions of human genes that may affect how the HCV-infected population develops liver disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI080703-03
Application #
8259510
Study Section
Virology - B Study Section (VIRB)
Program Officer
Koshy, Rajen
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$342,700
Indirect Cost
$119,950
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Baktash, Yasmine; Madhav, Anisha; Coller, Kelly E et al. (2018) Single Particle Imaging of Polarized Hepatoma Organoids upon Hepatitis C Virus Infection Reveals an Ordered and Sequential Entry Process. Cell Host Microbe 23:382-394.e5
Jordan, Tristan X; Randall, Glenn (2017) Dengue Virus Activates the AMP Kinase-mTOR Axis To Stimulate a Proviral Lipophagy. J Virol 91:
Jordan, Tristan X; Randall, Glenn (2016) Flavivirus modulation of cellular metabolism. Curr Opin Virol 19:7-10
Shulla, Ana; Randall, Glenn (2016) (+) RNA virus replication compartments: a safe home for (most) viral replication. Curr Opin Microbiol 32:82-88
Shulla, Ana; Randall, Glenn (2015) Spatiotemporal analysis of hepatitis C virus infection. PLoS Pathog 11:e1004758
Chukkapalli, Vineela; Berger, Kristi L; Kelly, Sean M et al. (2015) Daclatasvir inhibits hepatitis C virus NS5A motility and hyper-accumulation of phosphoinositides. Virology 476:168-79
Chukkapalli, Vineela; Randall, Glenn (2014) Hepatitis C virus replication compartment formation: mechanism and drug target. Gastroenterology 146:1164-7
Oakland, Todd E; Haselton, Kyle J; Randall, Glenn (2013) EWSR1 binds the hepatitis C virus cis-acting replication element and is required for efficient viral replication. J Virol 87:6625-34
Schoggins, John W; Randall, Glenn (2013) Lipids in innate antiviral defense. Cell Host Microbe 14:379-85
Dolan, Patrick T; Zhang, Chaoying; Khadka, Sudip et al. (2013) Identification and comparative analysis of hepatitis C virus-host cell protein interactions. Mol Biosyst 9:3199-209

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