Alveolin Proteins in the Toxoplasma Inner Membrane Complex Form a Highly Interconnected Structure That Maintains Parasite Shape and Replication.
Back, P. S.; Senthilkumar, V.; Choi, C. P.; Quan, J. J.; Lou, Q.; Snyder, A. K.; Ly, A. M.; Lau, J. G.; Zhou, Z. H.; Ward, G. E.; and Bradley, P. J.
PLOS Biology, 22(9): e3002809. September 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{backAlveolinProteinsToxoplasma2024,
title = {Alveolin Proteins in the {{Toxoplasma}} Inner Membrane Complex Form a Highly Interconnected Structure That Maintains Parasite Shape and Replication},
author = {Back, Peter S. and Senthilkumar, Vignesh and Choi, Charles P. and Quan, Justin J. and Lou, Qing and Snyder, Anne K. and Ly, Andrew M. and Lau, Justin G. and Zhou, Z. Hong and Ward, Gary E. and Bradley, Peter J.},
year = {2024},
month = sep,
journal = {PLOS Biology},
volume = {22},
number = {9},
pages = {e3002809},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
issn = {1545-7885},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3002809},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Apicomplexan parasites possess several specialized structures to invade their host cells and replicate successfully. One of these is the inner membrane complex (IMC), a peripheral membrane-cytoskeletal system underneath the plasma membrane. It is composed of a series of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles and a cytoskeletal subpellicular network (SPN) comprised of intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins. While the alveolin proteins are conserved throughout the Apicomplexa and the broader Alveolata, their precise functions and interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the function of one of these alveolin proteins in Toxoplasma, IMC6. Disruption of IMC6 resulted in striking morphological defects that led to aberrant invasion and replication but surprisingly minor effects on motility. Deletion analyses revealed that the alveolin domain alone is largely sufficient to restore localization and partially sufficient for function. As this highlights the importance of the IMC6 alveolin domain, we implemented unnatural amino acid photoreactive crosslinking to the alveolin domain and identified multiple binding interfaces between IMC6 and 2 other cytoskeletal IMC proteins---IMC3 and ILP1. This provides direct evidence of protein--protein interactions in the alveolin domain and supports the long-held hypothesis that the alveolin domain is responsible for filament formation. Collectively, our study features the conserved alveolin proteins as critical components that maintain the parasite's structural integrity and highlights the alveolin domain as a key mediator of SPN architecture.},
langid = {english},
keywords = {Cross-linking,Cytoskeletal proteins,Parasite replication,Parasitic diseases,Protein domains,Protein interactions,Toxoplasma gondii,Vacuoles},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\IL4S7QVL\Back et al. - 2024 - Alveolin proteins in the Toxoplasma inner membrane complex form a highly interconnected structure th.pdf}
}
Apicomplexan parasites possess several specialized structures to invade their host cells and replicate successfully. One of these is the inner membrane complex (IMC), a peripheral membrane-cytoskeletal system underneath the plasma membrane. It is composed of a series of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles and a cytoskeletal subpellicular network (SPN) comprised of intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins. While the alveolin proteins are conserved throughout the Apicomplexa and the broader Alveolata, their precise functions and interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the function of one of these alveolin proteins in Toxoplasma, IMC6. Disruption of IMC6 resulted in striking morphological defects that led to aberrant invasion and replication but surprisingly minor effects on motility. Deletion analyses revealed that the alveolin domain alone is largely sufficient to restore localization and partially sufficient for function. As this highlights the importance of the IMC6 alveolin domain, we implemented unnatural amino acid photoreactive crosslinking to the alveolin domain and identified multiple binding interfaces between IMC6 and 2 other cytoskeletal IMC proteins—IMC3 and ILP1. This provides direct evidence of protein–protein interactions in the alveolin domain and supports the long-held hypothesis that the alveolin domain is responsible for filament formation. Collectively, our study features the conserved alveolin proteins as critical components that maintain the parasite's structural integrity and highlights the alveolin domain as a key mediator of SPN architecture.
Structural Heterogeneity of the Rabies Virus Virion.
Cai, X.; Zhou, K.; Alvarez-Cabrera, A. L.; Si, Z.; Wang, H.; He, Y.; Li, C.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Viruses, 16(9): 1447. September 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{caiStructuralHeterogeneityRabies2024,
title = {Structural {{Heterogeneity}} of the {{Rabies Virus Virion}}},
author = {Cai, Xiaoying and Zhou, Kang and {Alvarez-Cabrera}, Ana Lucia and Si, Zhu and Wang, Hui and He, Yao and Li, Cally and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = sep,
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {16},
number = {9},
pages = {1447},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
issn = {1999-4915},
doi = {10.3390/v16091447},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Rabies virus (RABV) is among the first recognized viruses of public health concern and has historically contributed to the development of viral vaccines. Despite these significances, the three-dimensional structure of the RABV virion remains unknown due to the challenges in isolating structurally homogenous virion samples in sufficient quantities needed for structural investigation. Here, by combining the capabilities of cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) and microscopy (cryoEM), we determined the three-dimensional structure of the wild-type RABV virion. Tomograms of RABV virions reveal a high level of structural heterogeneity among the bullet-shaped virion particles encompassing the glycoprotein (G) trimer-decorated envelope and the nucleocapsid composed of RNA, nucleoprotein (N), and matrix protein (M). The structure of the trunk region of the virion was determined by cryoEM helical reconstruction, revealing a one-start N-RNA helix bound by a single layer of M proteins at an N:M ratio of 1. The N-M interaction differs from that in fellow rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which features two layers of M stabilizing the N-RNA helix at an M:N ratio of 2. These differences in both M-N stoichiometry and binding allow RABV to flex its N-RNA helix more freely and point to different mechanisms of viral assembly between these two bullet-shaped rhabdoviruses.},
copyright = {http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/},
langid = {english},
keywords = {cryogenic electron microscopy,cryogenic electron tomography,dynamics,flexibility,rabies virus,rhabdoviruses,wild type},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\DV59DN8Z\Cai et al. - 2024 - Structural Heterogeneity of the Rabies Virus Virion.pdf}
}
Rabies virus (RABV) is among the first recognized viruses of public health concern and has historically contributed to the development of viral vaccines. Despite these significances, the three-dimensional structure of the RABV virion remains unknown due to the challenges in isolating structurally homogenous virion samples in sufficient quantities needed for structural investigation. Here, by combining the capabilities of cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) and microscopy (cryoEM), we determined the three-dimensional structure of the wild-type RABV virion. Tomograms of RABV virions reveal a high level of structural heterogeneity among the bullet-shaped virion particles encompassing the glycoprotein (G) trimer-decorated envelope and the nucleocapsid composed of RNA, nucleoprotein (N), and matrix protein (M). The structure of the trunk region of the virion was determined by cryoEM helical reconstruction, revealing a one-start N-RNA helix bound by a single layer of M proteins at an N:M ratio of 1. The N-M interaction differs from that in fellow rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which features two layers of M stabilizing the N-RNA helix at an M:N ratio of 2. These differences in both M-N stoichiometry and binding allow RABV to flex its N-RNA helix more freely and point to different mechanisms of viral assembly between these two bullet-shaped rhabdoviruses.
Selected Humanization of Yeast U1 snRNP Leads to Global Suppression of Pre-mRNA Splicing and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Budding Yeast.
Chalivendra, S.; Shi, S.; Li, X.; Kuang, Z.; Giovinazzo, J.; Zhang, L.; Rossi, J.; Wang, J.; Saviola, A. J.; Welty, R.; Liu, S.; Vaeth, K. F.; Zhou, Z. H.; Hansen, K. C.; Taliaferro, J. M.; and Zhao, R.
RNA, 30(8): 1070–1088. August 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{chalivendraSelectedHumanizationYeast2024,
title = {Selected Humanization of Yeast {{U1 snRNP}} Leads to Global Suppression of Pre-{{mRNA}} Splicing and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Budding Yeast},
author = {Chalivendra, Subbaiah and Shi, Shasha and Li, Xueni and Kuang, Zhiling and Giovinazzo, Joseph and Zhang, Lingdi and Rossi, John and Wang, Jingxin and Saviola, Anthony J. and Welty, Robb and Liu, Shiheng and Vaeth, Katherine F. and Zhou, Z. Hong and Hansen, Kirk C. and Taliaferro, J. Matthew and Zhao, Rui},
year = {2024},
month = aug,
journal = {RNA},
volume = {30},
number = {8},
pages = {1070--1088},
publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Lab},
issn = {1355-8382, 1469-9001},
doi = {10.1261/rna.079917.123},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {The recognition of the 5{$\prime$} splice site (5{$\prime$} ss) is one of the earliest steps of pre-mRNA splicing. To better understand, the mechanism and regulation of 5{$\prime$} ss recognition, we selectively humanized components of the yeast U1 (yU1) snRNP to reveal the function of these components in 5{$\prime$} ss recognition and splicing. We targeted U1C and Luc7, two proteins that interact with and stabilize the yU1 snRNA and the 5{$\prime$} ss RNA duplex. We replaced the zinc-finger (ZnF) domain of yeast U1C (yU1C) with its human counterpart, which resulted in a cold-sensitive growth phenotype and moderate splicing defects. We next added an auxin-inducible degron to yeast Luc7 (yLuc7) protein (to mimic the lack of Luc7Ls in human U1 snRNP). We found that Luc7-depleted yU1 snRNP resulted in the concomitant loss of Prp40 and Snu71 (two other essential yU1 snRNP proteins), and further biochemical analyses suggest a model of how these three proteins interact with each other in the U1 snRNP. The loss of these proteins resulted in a significant growth retardation accompanied by a global suppression of pre-mRNA splicing. The splicing suppression led to mitochondrial dysfunction as revealed by a release of Fe2+ into the growth medium and an induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Together, these observations indicate that the human U1C ZnF can substitute that of yeast, Luc7 is essential for the incorporation of the Luc7--Prp40--Snu71 trimer into yU1 snRNP, and splicing plays a major role in the regulation of mitochondrial function in yeast.},
langid = {english},
pmid = {38688558},
keywords = {5' splice site recognition,Luc7,U1 snRNP,U1C},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\RM53B4A8\Chalivendra et al. - 2024 - Selected humanization of yeast U1 snRNP leads to global suppression of pre-mRNA splicing and mitocho.pdf}
}
The recognition of the 5$\prime$ splice site (5$\prime$ ss) is one of the earliest steps of pre-mRNA splicing. To better understand, the mechanism and regulation of 5$\prime$ ss recognition, we selectively humanized components of the yeast U1 (yU1) snRNP to reveal the function of these components in 5$\prime$ ss recognition and splicing. We targeted U1C and Luc7, two proteins that interact with and stabilize the yU1 snRNA and the 5$\prime$ ss RNA duplex. We replaced the zinc-finger (ZnF) domain of yeast U1C (yU1C) with its human counterpart, which resulted in a cold-sensitive growth phenotype and moderate splicing defects. We next added an auxin-inducible degron to yeast Luc7 (yLuc7) protein (to mimic the lack of Luc7Ls in human U1 snRNP). We found that Luc7-depleted yU1 snRNP resulted in the concomitant loss of Prp40 and Snu71 (two other essential yU1 snRNP proteins), and further biochemical analyses suggest a model of how these three proteins interact with each other in the U1 snRNP. The loss of these proteins resulted in a significant growth retardation accompanied by a global suppression of pre-mRNA splicing. The splicing suppression led to mitochondrial dysfunction as revealed by a release of Fe2+ into the growth medium and an induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Together, these observations indicate that the human U1C ZnF can substitute that of yeast, Luc7 is essential for the incorporation of the Luc7–Prp40–Snu71 trimer into yU1 snRNP, and splicing plays a major role in the regulation of mitochondrial function in yeast.
VPS4A Is the Selective Receptor for Lipophagy in Mice and Humans.
Das, D.; Sharma, M.; Gahlot, D.; Nia, S. S.; Gain, C.; Mecklenburg, M.; Zhou, Z. H.; Bourdenx, M.; Thukral, L.; Martinez-Lopez, N.; and Singh, R.
Molecular Cell, 84(22): 4436-4453.e8. November 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
@article{dasVPS4ASelectiveReceptor2024,
title = {{{VPS4A}} Is the Selective Receptor for Lipophagy in Mice and Humans},
author = {Das, Debajyoti and Sharma, Mridul and Gahlot, Deepanshi and Nia, Shervin S. and Gain, Chandrima and Mecklenburg, Matthew and Zhou, Z. Hong and Bourdenx, Mathieu and Thukral, Lipi and {Martinez-Lopez}, Nuria and Singh, Rajat},
year = {2024},
month = nov,
journal = {Molecular Cell},
volume = {84},
number = {22},
pages = {4436-4453.e8},
publisher = {Elsevier},
issn = {1097-2765},
doi = {10.1016/j.molcel.2024.10.022},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
langid = {english},
pmid = {39520981},
keywords = {autophagy,human,lipid droplet,lipophagy,liver,lysosome,MASLD,phosphorylation,receptor,VPS4A},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\SJ6T734F\Das et al. - 2024 - VPS4A is the selective receptor for lipophagy in mice and humans.pdf}
}
The Universal Suppressor Mutation Restores Membrane Budding Defects in the HSV-1 Nuclear Egress Complex by Stabilizing the Oligomeric Lattice.
Draganova, E. B.; Wang, H.; Wu, M.; Liao, S.; Vu, A.; Pino, G. L. G.; Zhou, Z. H.; Roller, R. J.; and Heldwein, E. E.
PLOS Pathogens, 20(1): e1011936. January 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{draganovaUniversalSuppressorMutation2024,
title = {The Universal Suppressor Mutation Restores Membrane Budding Defects in the {{HSV-1}} Nuclear Egress Complex by Stabilizing the Oligomeric Lattice},
author = {Draganova, Elizabeth B. and Wang, Hui and Wu, Melanie and Liao, Shiqing and Vu, Amber and Pino, Gonzalo L. Gonzalez-Del and Zhou, Z. Hong and Roller, Richard J. and Heldwein, Ekaterina E.},
year = {2024},
month = jan,
journal = {PLOS Pathogens},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {e1011936},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
issn = {1553-7374},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1011936},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Nuclear egress is an essential process in herpesvirus replication whereby nascent capsids translocate from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This initial step of nuclear egress--budding at the inner nuclear membrane--is coordinated by the nuclear egress complex (NEC). Composed of the viral proteins UL31 and UL34, NEC deforms the membrane around the capsid as the latter buds into the perinuclear space. NEC oligomerization into a hexagonal membrane-bound lattice is essential for budding because NEC mutants designed to perturb lattice interfaces reduce its budding ability. Previously, we identified an NEC suppressor mutation capable of restoring budding to a mutant with a weakened hexagonal lattice. Using an established in-vitro budding assay and HSV-1 infected cell experiments, we show that the suppressor mutation can restore budding to a broad range of budding-deficient NEC mutants thereby acting as a universal suppressor. Cryogenic electron tomography of the suppressor NEC mutant lattice revealed a hexagonal lattice reminiscent of wild-type NEC lattice instead of an alternative lattice. Further investigation using x-ray crystallography showed that the suppressor mutation promoted the formation of new contacts between the NEC hexamers that, ostensibly, stabilized the hexagonal lattice. This stabilization strategy is powerful enough to override the otherwise deleterious effects of mutations that destabilize the NEC lattice by different mechanisms, resulting in a functional NEC hexagonal lattice and restoration of membrane budding.},
langid = {english},
keywords = {Capsids,Crystal lattices,Crystal structure,Microbial mutation,Plasmid construction,Salt bridges,Vesicles,Viral replication},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\HYR3GXAY\Draganova et al. - 2024 - The universal suppressor mutation restores membran.pdf}
}
Nuclear egress is an essential process in herpesvirus replication whereby nascent capsids translocate from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This initial step of nuclear egress–budding at the inner nuclear membrane–is coordinated by the nuclear egress complex (NEC). Composed of the viral proteins UL31 and UL34, NEC deforms the membrane around the capsid as the latter buds into the perinuclear space. NEC oligomerization into a hexagonal membrane-bound lattice is essential for budding because NEC mutants designed to perturb lattice interfaces reduce its budding ability. Previously, we identified an NEC suppressor mutation capable of restoring budding to a mutant with a weakened hexagonal lattice. Using an established in-vitro budding assay and HSV-1 infected cell experiments, we show that the suppressor mutation can restore budding to a broad range of budding-deficient NEC mutants thereby acting as a universal suppressor. Cryogenic electron tomography of the suppressor NEC mutant lattice revealed a hexagonal lattice reminiscent of wild-type NEC lattice instead of an alternative lattice. Further investigation using x-ray crystallography showed that the suppressor mutation promoted the formation of new contacts between the NEC hexamers that, ostensibly, stabilized the hexagonal lattice. This stabilization strategy is powerful enough to override the otherwise deleterious effects of mutations that destabilize the NEC lattice by different mechanisms, resulting in a functional NEC hexagonal lattice and restoration of membrane budding.
Structural Basis for Polyuridine Tract Recognition by SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15.
Ito, F.; Yang, H.; Zhou, Z H.; and Chen, X. S
Protein & Cell,pwae009. April 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
@article{itoStructuralBasisPolyuridine2024,
title = {Structural Basis for Polyuridine Tract Recognition by {{SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15}}},
author = {Ito, Fumiaki and Yang, Hanjing and Zhou, Z Hong and Chen, Xiaojiang S},
year = {2024},
month = apr,
journal = {Protein \& Cell},
pages = {pwae009},
issn = {1674-800X},
doi = {10.1093/procel/pwae009},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
file = {C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\FJM88GSR\\Ito et al. - 2024 - Structural basis for polyuridine tract recognition.pdf;C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\EFI3VNY6\\7645160.html}
}
The Incredible Bulk: Human Cytomegalovirus Tegument Architectures Uncovered by AI-empowered Cryo-EM.
Jih, J.; Liu, Y.; Liu, W.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Science Advances, 10(8): eadj1640. February 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{jihIncredibleBulkHuman2024,
title = {The Incredible Bulk: {{Human}} Cytomegalovirus Tegument Architectures Uncovered by {{AI-empowered}} Cryo-{{EM}}},
shorttitle = {The Incredible Bulk},
author = {Jih, Jonathan and Liu, Yun-Tao and Liu, Wei and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = feb,
journal = {Science Advances},
volume = {10},
number = {8},
pages = {eadj1640},
publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.adj1640},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {The compartmentalization of eukaryotic cells presents considerable challenges to the herpesvirus life cycle. The herpesvirus tegument, a bulky proteinaceous aggregate sandwiched between herpesviruses' capsid and envelope, is uniquely evolved to address these challenges, yet tegument structure and organization remain poorly characterized. We use deep-learning--enhanced cryogenic electron microscopy to investigate the tegument of human cytomegalovirus virions and noninfectious enveloped particles (NIEPs; a genome packaging-aborted state), revealing a portal-biased tegumentation scheme. We resolve atomic structures of portal vertex-associated tegument (PVAT) and identify multiple configurations of PVAT arising from layered reorganization of pUL77, pUL48 (large tegument protein), and pUL47 (inner tegument protein) assemblies. Analyses show that pUL77 seals the last-packaged viral genome end through electrostatic interactions, pUL77 and pUL48 harbor a head--linker--capsid-binding motif conducive to PVAT reconfiguration, and pUL47/48 dimers form 45-nm-long filaments extending from the portal vertex. These results provide a structural framework for understanding how herpesvirus tegument facilitates and evolves during processes spanning viral genome packaging to delivery.},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\4AXHGP8R\Jih et al. - 2024 - The incredible bulk Human cytomegalovirus tegumen.pdf}
}
The compartmentalization of eukaryotic cells presents considerable challenges to the herpesvirus life cycle. The herpesvirus tegument, a bulky proteinaceous aggregate sandwiched between herpesviruses' capsid and envelope, is uniquely evolved to address these challenges, yet tegument structure and organization remain poorly characterized. We use deep-learning–enhanced cryogenic electron microscopy to investigate the tegument of human cytomegalovirus virions and noninfectious enveloped particles (NIEPs; a genome packaging-aborted state), revealing a portal-biased tegumentation scheme. We resolve atomic structures of portal vertex-associated tegument (PVAT) and identify multiple configurations of PVAT arising from layered reorganization of pUL77, pUL48 (large tegument protein), and pUL47 (inner tegument protein) assemblies. Analyses show that pUL77 seals the last-packaged viral genome end through electrostatic interactions, pUL77 and pUL48 harbor a head–linker–capsid-binding motif conducive to PVAT reconfiguration, and pUL47/48 dimers form 45-nm-long filaments extending from the portal vertex. These results provide a structural framework for understanding how herpesvirus tegument facilitates and evolves during processes spanning viral genome packaging to delivery.
Architectural Organization and in Situ Fusion Protein Structure of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus.
Kang, J. S.; Zhou, K.; Wang, H.; Tang, S.; Lyles, K. V. M.; Luo, M.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Journal of Virology, 98(10): e00640-24. September 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
@article{kangArchitecturalOrganizationSitu2024,
title = {Architectural Organization and in Situ Fusion Protein Structure of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus},
author = {Kang, Joon S. and Zhou, Kang and Wang, Hui and Tang, Sijia and Lyles, Kristin Van Mouwerik and Luo, Ming and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = sep,
journal = {Journal of Virology},
volume = {98},
number = {10},
pages = {e00640-24},
publisher = {American Society for Microbiology},
doi = {10.1128/jvi.00640-24},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\Z4YW4CKU\Kang et al. - 2024 - Architectural organization and in situ fusion protein structure of lymphocytic choriomeningitis viru.pdf}
}
Molecular Sociology of Virus-Induced Cellular Condensates Supporting Reovirus Assembly and Replication.
Liu, X.; Xia, X.; Martynowycz, M. W.; Gonen, T.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Nature Communications, 15(1): 10638. December 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{liuMolecularSociologyVirusinduced2024,
title = {Molecular Sociology of Virus-Induced Cellular Condensates Supporting Reovirus Assembly and Replication},
author = {Liu, Xiaoyu and Xia, Xian and Martynowycz, Michael W. and Gonen, Tamir and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = dec,
journal = {Nature Communications},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {10638},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
issn = {2041-1723},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-024-54968-7},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Virus-induced cellular condensates, or viral factories, are poorly understood high-density phases where replication of many viruses occurs. Here, by cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) of focused ion beam (FIB) milling-produced lamellae of mammalian reovirus (MRV)-infected cells, we visualized the molecular organization and interplay (i.e., ``molecular sociology'') of host and virus in 3D at two time points post-infection, enabling a detailed description of these condensates and a mechanistic understanding of MRV replication within them. Expanding over time, the condensate fashions host ribosomes at its periphery, and host microtubules, lipid membranes, and viral molecules in its interior, forming a 3D architecture that supports the dynamic processes of viral genome replication and capsid assembly. A total of six MRV assembly intermediates are identified inside the condensate: star core, empty and genome-containing cores, empty and full virions, and outer shell particle. Except for star core, these intermediates are visualized at atomic resolution by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) of cellular extracts. The temporal sequence and spatial rearrangement among these viral intermediates choreograph the viral life cycle within the condensates. Together, the molecular sociology of MRV-induced cellular condensate highlights the functional advantage of transient enrichment of molecules at the right location and time for viral replication.},
copyright = {2024 The Author(s)},
langid = {english},
keywords = {Biopolymers in vivo,Cryoelectron tomography,Virus structures},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\9Y9MRVQZ\Liu et al. - 2024 - Molecular sociology of virus-induced cellular condensates supporting reovirus assembly and replicati.pdf}
}
Virus-induced cellular condensates, or viral factories, are poorly understood high-density phases where replication of many viruses occurs. Here, by cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) of focused ion beam (FIB) milling-produced lamellae of mammalian reovirus (MRV)-infected cells, we visualized the molecular organization and interplay (i.e., ``molecular sociology'') of host and virus in 3D at two time points post-infection, enabling a detailed description of these condensates and a mechanistic understanding of MRV replication within them. Expanding over time, the condensate fashions host ribosomes at its periphery, and host microtubules, lipid membranes, and viral molecules in its interior, forming a 3D architecture that supports the dynamic processes of viral genome replication and capsid assembly. A total of six MRV assembly intermediates are identified inside the condensate: star core, empty and genome-containing cores, empty and full virions, and outer shell particle. Except for star core, these intermediates are visualized at atomic resolution by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) of cellular extracts. The temporal sequence and spatial rearrangement among these viral intermediates choreograph the viral life cycle within the condensates. Together, the molecular sociology of MRV-induced cellular condensate highlights the functional advantage of transient enrichment of molecules at the right location and time for viral replication.
Overcoming the Preferred Orientation Problem in cryoEM with Self-Supervised Deep-Learning.
Liu, Y.; Fan, H.; Hu, J. J.; and Zhou, Z. H.
April 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@misc{liuOvercomingPreferredOrientation2024,
title = {Overcoming the Preferred Orientation Problem in {{cryoEM}} with Self-Supervised Deep-Learning},
author = {Liu, Yun-Tao and Fan, Hongcheng and Hu, Jason J. and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = apr,
primaryclass = {New Results},
pages = {2024.04.11.588921},
publisher = {bioRxiv},
doi = {10.1101/2024.04.11.588921},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {While advances in single-particle cryoEM have enabled the structural determination of macromolecular complexes at atomic resolution, particle orientation bias (the so-called ``preferred'' orientation problem) remains a complication for most specimens. Existing solutions have relied on biochemical and physical strategies applied to the specimen and are often complex and challenging. Here, we develop spIsoNet, an end-to-end self-supervised deep-learning-based software to address the preferred orientation problem. Using preferred-orientation views to recover molecular information in under-sampled views, spIsoNet improves both angular isotropy and particle alignment accuracy during 3D reconstruction. We demonstrate spIsoNet's capability of generating near-isotropic reconstructions from representative biological systems with limited views, including ribosomes, {$\beta$}-galactosidases, and a previously intractable hemagglutinin trimer dataset. spIsoNet can also be generalized to improve map isotropy and particle alignment of preferentially oriented molecules in subtomogram averaging. Therefore, without additional specimen-preparation procedures, spIsoNet provides a general computational solution to the preferred orientation problem.},
archiveprefix = {bioRxiv},
chapter = {New Results},
copyright = {{\copyright} 2024, Posted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. This pre-print is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International), CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, as described at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/},
langid = {english},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\6M8U6YJ2\Liu et al. - 2024 - Overcoming the preferred orientation problem in cr.pdf}
}
While advances in single-particle cryoEM have enabled the structural determination of macromolecular complexes at atomic resolution, particle orientation bias (the so-called ``preferred'' orientation problem) remains a complication for most specimens. Existing solutions have relied on biochemical and physical strategies applied to the specimen and are often complex and challenging. Here, we develop spIsoNet, an end-to-end self-supervised deep-learning-based software to address the preferred orientation problem. Using preferred-orientation views to recover molecular information in under-sampled views, spIsoNet improves both angular isotropy and particle alignment accuracy during 3D reconstruction. We demonstrate spIsoNet's capability of generating near-isotropic reconstructions from representative biological systems with limited views, including ribosomes, $β$-galactosidases, and a previously intractable hemagglutinin trimer dataset. spIsoNet can also be generalized to improve map isotropy and particle alignment of preferentially oriented molecules in subtomogram averaging. Therefore, without additional specimen-preparation procedures, spIsoNet provides a general computational solution to the preferred orientation problem.
Paths to Attenuate Radiolysis-Induced Secondary Damage in Biological CryoEM.
Mecklenburg, M.; Nia, S. S; Saha, A.; and Hong Zhou, Z
Microscopy and Microanalysis, 30(Supplement_1): ozae044.877. July 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{mecklenburgPathsAttenuateRadiolysisInduced2024,
title = {Paths to {{Attenuate Radiolysis-Induced Secondary Damage}} in {{Biological CryoEM}}},
author = {Mecklenburg, Matthew and Nia, Shervin S and Saha, Ambarneil and Hong Zhou, Z},
year = {2024},
month = jul,
journal = {Microscopy and Microanalysis},
volume = {30},
number = {Supplement\_1},
pages = {ozae044.877},
issn = {1431-9276},
doi = {10.1093/mam/ozae044.877},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {The imaging electrons in a transmission electron microscope are a beam of bond-breaking beta-radiation. Imaging soft materials is a challenge because of beam damage and poor contrast between the substrate and specimen. Typically, only 10-100 electrons can strike an atomically sized area before disintegration [1]. Peptide, hydrogen, disulfide bonds etc. are all irreparably broken by radiolysis while being simultaneously imaged. The total dose for loss of useful information is roughly the Henderson limit (often accumulated in a few seconds, see Figure 1), about 20 MGy [2], which is roughly 9 orders of magnitude larger than an average person receives per year [3]. This primary damage cannot be abated in small molecules, protein, or virus samples. In addition, unlike the case for x-rays, the inelastic scattering is more likely than elastic scattering for elements in atomic number less than about iron [4]. This leads to poor contrast using parallel beam imaging modalities.},
file = {C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\ZXD7QZSK\\Mecklenburg et al. - 2024 - Paths to Attenuate Radiolysis-Induced Secondary Damage in Biological CryoEM.pdf;C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\C67US3J9\\7720210.html}
}
The imaging electrons in a transmission electron microscope are a beam of bond-breaking beta-radiation. Imaging soft materials is a challenge because of beam damage and poor contrast between the substrate and specimen. Typically, only 10-100 electrons can strike an atomically sized area before disintegration [1]. Peptide, hydrogen, disulfide bonds etc. are all irreparably broken by radiolysis while being simultaneously imaged. The total dose for loss of useful information is roughly the Henderson limit (often accumulated in a few seconds, see Figure 1), about 20 MGy [2], which is roughly 9 orders of magnitude larger than an average person receives per year [3]. This primary damage cannot be abated in small molecules, protein, or virus samples. In addition, unlike the case for x-rays, the inelastic scattering is more likely than elastic scattering for elements in atomic number less than about iron [4]. This leads to poor contrast using parallel beam imaging modalities.
Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions between Pp150 Tegument Protein and Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal and Two Live Attenuated HCMV Mutants.
Stevens, A.; Cruz-cosme, R.; Armstrong, N.; Tang, Q.; and Zhou, Z. H.
April 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@misc{stevensStructureGuidedMutagenesisTargeting2024,
title = {Structure-{{Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions}} between Pp150 {{Tegument Protein}} and {{Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal}} and {{Two Live Attenuated HCMV Mutants}}},
author = {Stevens, Alex and {Cruz-cosme}, Ruth and Armstrong, Najealicka and Tang, Qiyi and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = apr,
primaryclass = {New Results},
pages = {2024.01.22.576707},
publisher = {bioRxiv},
doi = {10.1101/2024.01.22.576707},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single point mutation at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike the situation of pp150-deletion mutation where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150 K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.},
archiveprefix = {bioRxiv},
chapter = {New Results},
copyright = {{\copyright} 2024, Posted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The copyright holder for this pre-print is the author. All rights reserved. The material may not be redistributed, re-used or adapted without the author's permission.},
langid = {english},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\L3UDU3QN\Stevens et al. - 2024 - Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interaction.pdf}
}
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single point mutation at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike the situation of pp150-deletion mutation where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150 K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.
Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions between Pp150 Tegument Protein and Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal and Two Live-Attenuated HCMV Mutants.
Stevens, A.; Cruz-Cosme, R.; Armstrong, N.; Tang, Q.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Virology, 596: 110115. August 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{stevensStructureguidedMutagenesisTargeting2024a,
title = {Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions between Pp150 Tegument Protein and Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal and Two Live-Attenuated {{HCMV}} Mutants},
author = {Stevens, Alexander and {Cruz-Cosme}, Ruth and Armstrong, Najealicka and Tang, Qiyi and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = aug,
journal = {Virology},
volume = {596},
pages = {110115},
issn = {0042-6822},
doi = {10.1016/j.virol.2024.110115},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150~kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single amino acid mutation (pp150~K255E) at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike in pp150-deletion mutants where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150~K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.},
keywords = {Capsid,HCMV,Replication,Structure,Tegument},
file = {C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\K54TMR34\\Stevens et al. - 2024 - Structure-guided mutagenesis targeting interaction.pdf;C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\4XAIWPG9\\S0042682224001363.html}
}
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150 kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single amino acid mutation (pp150 K255E) at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike in pp150-deletion mutants where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150 K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.
Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions between Pp150 Tegument Protein and Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal and Two Live-Attenuated HCMV Mutants.
Stevens, A.; Cruz-Cosme, R.; Armstrong, N.; Tang, Q.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Virology, 596: 110115. August 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{stevensStructureguidedMutagenesisTargeting2024b,
title = {Structure-Guided Mutagenesis Targeting Interactions between Pp150 Tegument Protein and Small Capsid Protein Identify Five Lethal and Two Live-Attenuated {{HCMV}} Mutants},
author = {Stevens, Alexander and {Cruz-Cosme}, Ruth and Armstrong, Najealicka and Tang, Qiyi and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = aug,
journal = {Virology},
volume = {596},
pages = {110115},
issn = {0042-6822},
doi = {10.1016/j.virol.2024.110115},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150~kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single amino acid mutation (pp150~K255E) at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike in pp150-deletion mutants where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150~K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.},
keywords = {Capsid,HCMV,Replication,Structure,Tegument},
file = {C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\RYIRXH9P\\Stevens et al. - 2024 - Structure-guided mutagenesis targeting interactions between pp150 tegument protein and small capsid.pdf;C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\FYF9ITDE\\S0042682224001363.html}
}
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication relies on a nucleocapsid coat of the 150 kDa, subfamily-specific tegument phosphoprotein (pp150) to regulate cytoplasmic virion maturation. While recent structural studies revealed pp150-capsid interactions, the role of specific amino-acids involved in these interactions have not been established experimentally. In this study, pp150 and the small capsid protein (SCP), one of pp150's binding partners found atop the major capsid protein (MCP), were subjected to mutational and structural analyses. Mutations to clusters of polar or hydrophobic residues along the pp150-SCP interface abolished viral replication, with no replication detected in mutant virus-infected cells. Notably, a single amino acid mutation (pp150 K255E) at the pp150-MCP interface significantly attenuated viral replication, unlike in pp150-deletion mutants where capsids degraded outside host nuclei. These functionally significant mutations targeting pp150-capsid interactions, particularly the pp150 K255E replication-attenuated mutant, can be explored to overcome the historical challenges of developing effective antivirals and vaccines against HCMV infection.
Structures of Native Doublet Microtubules from Trichomonas Vaginalis Reveal Parasite-Specific Proteins as Potential Drug Targets.
Stevens, A.; Kashyap, S.; Crofut, E. H.; Wang, S. E.; Muratore, K. A.; Johnson, P. J.; and Zhou, Z. H.
June 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@misc{stevensStructuresNativeDoublet2024,
title = {Structures of {{Native Doublet Microtubules}} from {{Trichomonas}} Vaginalis {{Reveal Parasite-Specific Proteins}} as {{Potential Drug Targets}}},
author = {Stevens, Alexander and Kashyap, Saarang and Crofut, Ethan H. and Wang, Shuqi E. and Muratore, Katherine A. and Johnson, Patricia J. and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = jun,
primaryclass = {New Results},
pages = {2024.06.11.598142},
publisher = {bioRxiv},
doi = {10.1101/2024.06.11.598142},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Doublet microtubules (DMTs) are flagellar components required for the protist Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) to swim through the human genitourinary tract to cause trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. Lack of DMT structures has prevented structure-guided drug design to manage Tv infection. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of native Tv-DMTs, identifying 29 unique proteins, including 18 microtubule inner proteins and 9 microtubule outer proteins. While the A-tubule is simplistic compared to DMTs of other organisms, the B-tubule features specialized, parasite-specific proteins, like TvFAP40 and TvFAP35 that form filaments near the inner and outer junctions, respectively, to stabilize DMTs and enable Tv locomotion. Notably, a small molecule, assigned as IP6, is coordinated within a pocket of TvFAP40 and has characteristics of a drug molecule. This first atomic model of the Tv-DMT highlights the diversity of eukaryotic motility machinery and provides a structural framework to inform the rational design of therapeutics.},
archiveprefix = {bioRxiv},
chapter = {New Results},
copyright = {{\copyright} 2024, Posted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The copyright holder for this pre-print is the author. All rights reserved. The material may not be redistributed, re-used or adapted without the author's permission.},
langid = {english},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\H9LYDR3F\Stevens et al. - 2024 - Structures of Native Doublet Microtubules from Trichomonas vaginalis Reveal Parasite-Specific Protei.pdf}
}
Doublet microtubules (DMTs) are flagellar components required for the protist Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) to swim through the human genitourinary tract to cause trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. Lack of DMT structures has prevented structure-guided drug design to manage Tv infection. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of native Tv-DMTs, identifying 29 unique proteins, including 18 microtubule inner proteins and 9 microtubule outer proteins. While the A-tubule is simplistic compared to DMTs of other organisms, the B-tubule features specialized, parasite-specific proteins, like TvFAP40 and TvFAP35 that form filaments near the inner and outer junctions, respectively, to stabilize DMTs and enable Tv locomotion. Notably, a small molecule, assigned as IP6, is coordinated within a pocket of TvFAP40 and has characteristics of a drug molecule. This first atomic model of the Tv-DMT highlights the diversity of eukaryotic motility machinery and provides a structural framework to inform the rational design of therapeutics.
Composition and in Situ Structure of the Methanospirillum Hungatei Cell Envelope and Surface Layer.
Wang, H.; Zhang, J.; Liao, S.; Henstra, A. M.; Leon, D.; Erde, J.; Loo, J. A.; Ogorzalek Loo, R. R.; Zhou, Z. H.; and Gunsalus, R. P.
Science Advances, 10(50): eadr8596. December 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{wangCompositionSituStructure2024,
title = {Composition and in Situ Structure of the {{Methanospirillum}} Hungatei Cell Envelope and Surface Layer},
author = {Wang, Hui and Zhang, Jiayan and Liao, Shiqing and Henstra, Anne M. and Leon, Deborah and Erde, Jonathan and Loo, Joseph A. and Ogorzalek Loo, Rachel R. and Zhou, Z. Hong and Gunsalus, Robert P.},
year = {2024},
month = dec,
journal = {Science Advances},
volume = {10},
number = {50},
pages = {eadr8596},
publisher = {American Association for the Advancement of Science},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.adr8596},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
abstract = {Archaea share genomic similarities with Eukarya and cellular architectural similarities with Bacteria, though archaeal and bacterial surface layers (S-layers) differ. Using cellular cryo--electron tomography, we visualized the S-layer lattice surrounding Methanospirillum hungatei, a methanogenic archaeon. Though more compact than known structures, M. hungatei's S-layer is a flexible hexagonal lattice of dome-shaped tiles, uniformly spaced from both the overlying cell sheath and the underlying cell membrane. Subtomogram averaging resolved the S-layer hexamer tile at 6.4-angstrom resolution. By fitting an AlphaFold model into hexamer tiles in flat and curved conformations, we uncover intra- and intertile interactions that contribute to the S-layer's cylindrical and flexible architecture, along with a spacer extension for cell membrane attachment. M. hungatei cell's end plug structure, likely composed of S-layer isoforms, further highlights the uniqueness of this archaeal cell. These structural features offer advantages for methane release and reflect divergent evolutionary adaptations to environmental pressures during early microbial emergence.},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\GZ2XF3W3\Wang et al. - 2024 - Composition and in situ structure of the Methanospirillum hungatei cell envelope and surface layer.pdf}
}
Archaea share genomic similarities with Eukarya and cellular architectural similarities with Bacteria, though archaeal and bacterial surface layers (S-layers) differ. Using cellular cryo–electron tomography, we visualized the S-layer lattice surrounding Methanospirillum hungatei, a methanogenic archaeon. Though more compact than known structures, M. hungatei's S-layer is a flexible hexagonal lattice of dome-shaped tiles, uniformly spaced from both the overlying cell sheath and the underlying cell membrane. Subtomogram averaging resolved the S-layer hexamer tile at 6.4-angstrom resolution. By fitting an AlphaFold model into hexamer tiles in flat and curved conformations, we uncover intra- and intertile interactions that contribute to the S-layer's cylindrical and flexible architecture, along with a spacer extension for cell membrane attachment. M. hungatei cell's end plug structure, likely composed of S-layer isoforms, further highlights the uniqueness of this archaeal cell. These structural features offer advantages for methane release and reflect divergent evolutionary adaptations to environmental pressures during early microbial emergence.
TomoNet: A Streamlined Cryogenic Electron Tomography Software Pipeline with Automatic Particle Picking on Flexible Lattices.
Wang, H.; Liao, S.; Yu, X.; Zhang, J.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Biological Imaging, 4: e7. January 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{wangTomoNetStreamlinedCryogenic2024,
title = {{{TomoNet}}: {{A}} Streamlined Cryogenic Electron Tomography Software Pipeline with Automatic Particle Picking on Flexible Lattices},
shorttitle = {{{TomoNet}}},
author = {Wang, Hui and Liao, Shiqing and Yu, Xinye and Zhang, Jiayan and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = jan,
journal = {Biological Imaging},
volume = {4},
pages = {e7},
issn = {2633-903X},
doi = {10.1017/S2633903X24000060},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) is capable of determining in situ biological structures of molecular complexes at near-atomic resolution by averaging half a million subtomograms. While abundant complexes/particles are often clustered in arrays, precisely locating and seamlessly averaging such particles across many tomograms present major challenges. Here, we developed TomoNet, a software package with a modern graphical user interface to carry out the entire pipeline of cryoET and subtomogram averaging to achieve high resolution. TomoNet features built-in automatic particle picking and three-dimensional (3D) classification functions and integrates commonly used packages to streamline high-resolution subtomogram averaging for structures in 1D, 2D, or 3D arrays. Automatic particle picking is accomplished in two complementary ways: one based on template matching and the other using deep learning. TomoNet's hierarchical file organization and visual display facilitate efficient data management as required for large cryoET datasets. Applications of TomoNet to three types of datasets demonstrate its capability of efficient and accurate particle picking on flexible and imperfect lattices to obtain high-resolution 3D biological structures: virus-like particles, bacterial surface layers within cellular lamellae, and membranes decorated with nuclear egress protein complexes. These results demonstrate TomoNet's potential for broad applications to various cryoET projects targeting high-resolution in situ structures.},
langid = {english},
keywords = {automatic particle picking,cryoET,deep learning,in situ structures,lattice structure,subtomogram averaging},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\4CQMNG7Q\Wang et al. - 2024 - TomoNet A streamlined cryogenic electron tomograp.pdf}
}
Cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) is capable of determining in situ biological structures of molecular complexes at near-atomic resolution by averaging half a million subtomograms. While abundant complexes/particles are often clustered in arrays, precisely locating and seamlessly averaging such particles across many tomograms present major challenges. Here, we developed TomoNet, a software package with a modern graphical user interface to carry out the entire pipeline of cryoET and subtomogram averaging to achieve high resolution. TomoNet features built-in automatic particle picking and three-dimensional (3D) classification functions and integrates commonly used packages to streamline high-resolution subtomogram averaging for structures in 1D, 2D, or 3D arrays. Automatic particle picking is accomplished in two complementary ways: one based on template matching and the other using deep learning. TomoNet's hierarchical file organization and visual display facilitate efficient data management as required for large cryoET datasets. Applications of TomoNet to three types of datasets demonstrate its capability of efficient and accurate particle picking on flexible and imperfect lattices to obtain high-resolution 3D biological structures: virus-like particles, bacterial surface layers within cellular lamellae, and membranes decorated with nuclear egress protein complexes. These results demonstrate TomoNet's potential for broad applications to various cryoET projects targeting high-resolution in situ structures.
RNA Genome Packaging and Capsid Assembly of Bluetongue Virus Visualized in Host Cells.
Xia, X.; Sung, P.; Martynowycz, M. W.; Gonen, T.; Roy, P.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Cell, 187(9): 2236-2249.e17. April 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@article{xiaRNAGenomePackaging2024,
title = {{{RNA}} Genome Packaging and Capsid Assembly of Bluetongue Virus Visualized in Host Cells},
author = {Xia, Xian and Sung, Po-Yu and Martynowycz, Michael W. and Gonen, Tamir and Roy, Polly and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = apr,
journal = {Cell},
volume = {187},
number = {9},
pages = {2236-2249.e17},
issn = {0092-8674},
doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.007},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Unlike those of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and ssRNA viruses, the mechanism of genome packaging of dsRNA viruses is poorly understood. Here, we combined the techniques of high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), cellular cryoelectron tomography (cryo-ET), and structure-guided mutagenesis to investigate genome packaging and capsid assembly of bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of the Reoviridae family of dsRNA viruses. A total of eleven assembly states of BTV capsid were captured, with resolutions up to 2.8~{\AA}, with most visualized in the host cytoplasm. ATPase VP6 was found underneath the vertices of capsid shell protein VP3 as an RNA-harboring pentamer, facilitating RNA packaging. RNA packaging expands the VP3 shell, which then engages middle- and outer-layer proteins to generate infectious virions. These revealed ``duality'' characteristics of the BTV assembly mechanism reconcile previous contradictory co-assembly and core-filling models and provide insights into the mysterious RNA packaging and capsid assembly of Reoviridae members and beyond.},
keywords = {assembly intermediates,bluetongue virus,capsid assembly,cryo-FIB,cryoEM,cryoET,dsRNA virus,duality model,RNA packaging,viral replication cycle},
file = {C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\GEVRNN5I\\Xia et al. - 2024 - RNA genome packaging and capsid assembly of bluetongue virus visualized in host cells.pdf;C\:\\Users\\shervinnia\\Zotero\\storage\\P97BAEV5\\S009286742400299X.html}
}
Unlike those of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and ssRNA viruses, the mechanism of genome packaging of dsRNA viruses is poorly understood. Here, we combined the techniques of high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), cellular cryoelectron tomography (cryo-ET), and structure-guided mutagenesis to investigate genome packaging and capsid assembly of bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of the Reoviridae family of dsRNA viruses. A total of eleven assembly states of BTV capsid were captured, with resolutions up to 2.8 Å, with most visualized in the host cytoplasm. ATPase VP6 was found underneath the vertices of capsid shell protein VP3 as an RNA-harboring pentamer, facilitating RNA packaging. RNA packaging expands the VP3 shell, which then engages middle- and outer-layer proteins to generate infectious virions. These revealed ``duality'' characteristics of the BTV assembly mechanism reconcile previous contradictory co-assembly and core-filling models and provide insights into the mysterious RNA packaging and capsid assembly of Reoviridae members and beyond.
Structures of Epstein-Barr Virus and Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Virions Reveal Species-Specific Tegument and Envelope Features.
Zhen, J.; Chen, J.; Huang, H.; Liao, S.; Liu, S.; Yuan, Y.; Sun, R.; Longnecker, R.; Wu, T.; and Zhou, Z. H.
Journal of Virology, 98(11): e01194-24. October 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
@article{zhenStructuresEpsteinBarrVirus2024,
title = {Structures of {{Epstein-Barr}} Virus and {{Kaposi}}'s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Virions Reveal Species-Specific Tegument and Envelope Features},
author = {Zhen, James and Chen, Jia and Huang, Haigen and Liao, Shiqing and Liu, Shiheng and Yuan, Yan and Sun, Ren and Longnecker, Richard and Wu, Ting-Ting and Zhou, Z. Hong},
year = {2024},
month = oct,
journal = {Journal of Virology},
volume = {98},
number = {11},
pages = {e01194-24},
publisher = {American Society for Microbiology},
doi = {10.1128/jvi.01194-24},
urldate = {2025-04-04},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\JNM43UMC\Zhen et al. - 2024 - Structures of Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus virions reveal species-.pdf}
}
Atomic Structures of a Bacteriocin Targeting Gram-positive Bacteria.
Zhou, Z. H.; Cai, X.; He, Y.; Yu, I.; Imani, A.; Scholl, D.; and Miller, J.
March 2024.
doi
link
bibtex
abstract
@misc{zhouAtomicStructuresBacteriocin2024,
title = {Atomic Structures of a Bacteriocin Targeting {{Gram-positive}} Bacteria},
author = {Zhou, Z. Hong and Cai, Xiaoying and He, Yao and Yu, Iris and Imani, Anthony and Scholl, Dean and Miller, Jeff},
year = {2024},
month = mar,
issn = {2693-5015},
doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-4007122/v1},
urldate = {2024-06-13},
abstract = {Due to envelope differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria1, engineering precision bactericidal contractile nanomachines2 requires atomic-level understanding of their structures; however, only those killing a Gram-negative bacterium are currently known3,4. Here, we report the atomic structures of an engineered diffocin, a contractile syringe-like molecular machine that kills the Gram-positive bacterium Clostridioides difficile. Captured in one pre-contraction and two post-contraction states, each structure fashions six proteins in the bacteria-targeting baseplate, two proteins in the energy-storing trunk, and a collar protein linking the sheath with the membrane-penetrating tube. Compared to contractile machines targeting Gram-negative bacteria, major differences reside in the baseplate and contraction magnitude, consistent with differences between their targeted envelopes. The multifunctional hub-hydrolase protein connects the tube and baseplate and is positioned to degrade peptidoglycan during penetration. The full-length tape measure protein forms a coiled-coil helix bundle homotrimer spanning the entire length of the diffocin. Our study offers mechanical insights and principles for designing potent protein-based precision antibiotics.},
file = {C:\Users\shervinnia\Zotero\storage\J9GEUA2Z\Zhou et al. - 2024 - Atomic structures of a bacteriocin targeting Gram-.pdf}
}
Due to envelope differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria1, engineering precision bactericidal contractile nanomachines2 requires atomic-level understanding of their structures; however, only those killing a Gram-negative bacterium are currently known3,4. Here, we report the atomic structures of an engineered diffocin, a contractile syringe-like molecular machine that kills the Gram-positive bacterium Clostridioides difficile. Captured in one pre-contraction and two post-contraction states, each structure fashions six proteins in the bacteria-targeting baseplate, two proteins in the energy-storing trunk, and a collar protein linking the sheath with the membrane-penetrating tube. Compared to contractile machines targeting Gram-negative bacteria, major differences reside in the baseplate and contraction magnitude, consistent with differences between their targeted envelopes. The multifunctional hub-hydrolase protein connects the tube and baseplate and is positioned to degrade peptidoglycan during penetration. The full-length tape measure protein forms a coiled-coil helix bundle homotrimer spanning the entire length of the diffocin. Our study offers mechanical insights and principles for designing potent protein-based precision antibiotics.