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[Functional analysis of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) in foot-and-mouth disease virus replication]
Ziyi Wang1,2,3, Rongzeng Hao2,3, Yi Ru2,3
1School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China.
Abstract:
The study aims to investigate the impacts of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) on the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in BHK-21 cells. Firstly, the effects of FMDV replication on POP expression in BHK-21 cells were analyzed by Western blotting and Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Secondly, a eukaryotic expression plasmid for POP was constructed, and the effects of POP overexpression on the replication of two different serotypes of FMDV were assessed by Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and virus titer assays. Thirdly, specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting POP were synthesized, and their efficiency in interfering with endogenous POP expression was identified by RT-qPCR. The impacts of downregulating endogenous POP expression on FMDV replication were further evaluated by Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and virus titer assays. The results indicated that FMDV infection did not significantly affect POP expression in BHK-21 cells. Overexpression of POP dose-dependently enhanced the replication of both FMDV/O and FMDV/A serotypes. Conversely, siRNA-mediated downregulation of endogenous POP expression markedly suppressed FMDV/O replication. This study is the first to demonstrated that the role of the host POP protein in promoting FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells, thereby providing a critical theoretical foundation and potential molecular targets for developing efficient candidate cell strains for foot-and-mouth disease inactivated vaccines.
Insights
Host prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) significantly enhances foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication in BHK-21 cells. Downregulating POP suppresses FMDV replication, identifying POP as a target for vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) poses a significant threat to livestock globally.
- Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective antiviral strategies and vaccines.
- BHK-21 cells are a common cell line used for FMDV research.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of host prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) in FMDV replication.
- To determine if POP expression is affected by FMDV infection.
- To assess the impact of POP modulation (overexpression and downregulation) on FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells.
Summary:
- FMDV infection did not alter POP expression in BHK-21 cells.
- Overexpression of POP enhanced the replication of FMDV serotypes O and A in a dose-dependent manner.
- Downregulation of POP using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) significantly inhibited FMDV serotype O replication.
Impact:
- This study is the first to demonstrate that host POP promotes FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells.
- Identifies POP as a potential molecular target for developing novel antiviral therapies.
- Provides a theoretical basis for engineering cell strains to improve inactivated FMDV vaccine efficacy.
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