Involvement of ATP synthase β subunit in chikungunya virus entry into insect cells

• Published in: Archives of virology Vol. 159; no. 12; pp. 3353 - 3364
• Main Authors: Fongsaran, Chanida, Jirakanwisal, Krit, Kuadkitkan, Atichat, Wikan, Nitwara, Wintachai, Phitchayapak, Thepparit, Chutima, Ubol, Sukathida, Phaonakrop, Narumon, Roytrakul, Sittiruk, Smith, Duncan R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer-Verlag 01.12.2014; Springer Vienna
• Subjects: Aedes; Aedes - virology; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Chikungunya virus; Chikungunya virus - physiology; fever; Gene Expression; H-transporting ATP synthase; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Infectious Diseases; insects; Mass Spectrometry; Medical Microbiology; Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases - metabolism; Original Article; Protein Binding; proteins; Receptors, Virus - metabolism; Virology; Virus Attachment; Virus Internalization; viruses; Chikungunya Fever; White Spot Syndrome Virus; CHIKV Infection; Insect Cell; Chikungunya Virus
• ISSN: 0304-8608; 1432-8798
• DOI: 10.1007/s00705-014-2210-4

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the virus responsible for the disease chikungunya fever in humans, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. While significant progress has been made in understanding the process by which CHIKV enters into mammalian cells, far less progress has been made in understanding the CHIKV entry process in insect cells. This study sought to identify mosquito-cell-expressed CHIKV-binding proteins through a combination of virus overlay protein binding assays (VOPBA) and mass spectroscopy. A 50-kDa CHIKV-binding protein was identified as the ATP synthase β subunit (ATPSβ). Co-immunoprecipitation studies confirmed the interaction, and colocalization analysis showed cell-surface and intracellular co-localization between CHIKV and ATPSβ. Both antibody inhibition and siRNA-mediated downregulation experiments targeted to ATPSβ showed a significant reduction in viral entry and virus production. These results suggest that ATPSβ is a CHIKV-binding protein capable of mediating the entry of CHIKV into insect cells.