Dengue Virus Capsid Protein Binds Core Histones and Inhibits Nucleosome Formation in Human Liver Cells
2011

Dengue Virus Capsid Protein Binds Core Histones and Inhibits Nucleosome Formation in Human Liver Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Colpitts Tonya M., Barthel Sebastian, Wang Penghua, Fikrig Erol

Primary Institution: Yale University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

How does the dengue virus capsid protein interact with host cell histones and affect nucleosome formation?

Conclusion

Dengue virus capsid protein binds to core histones and disrupts nucleosome formation in liver cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • DENV C binds to core histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4.
  • DENV C disrupts the formation of histone oligomers.
  • DENV C does not disrupt histone-DNA binding.
  • DENV infection increases levels of core histones in liver cells.
  • DENV C alters phosphorylation levels of histone H2A over time.

Takeaway

The dengue virus has a protein that sticks to important parts of our cells called histones, which help organize DNA. This can mess up how our cells normally work.

Methodology

The study used a tandem affinity purification assay to identify interactions between dengue virus capsid protein and core histones in human liver cells.

Participant Demographics

Human liver cells (Huh7) were used in the experiments.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024365

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