Non-Canonical Roles of Dengue Virus Non-Structural Proteins

Summary Positive-strand RNA viruses are known to rearrange cellular membranes to facilitate viral genome replication. The biogenesis and three-dimensional organization of these membranes and the link between replication and virus assembly sites is not fully clear. Using electron microscopy, we find Dengue virus (DENV)-induced vesicles, convoluted membranes, and virus particles to be endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived, and we detect double-stranded RNA, a presumed marker of RNA replication, inside virus-induced vesicles. Electron tomography (ET) shows DENV-induced membrane structures to be part of one ER-derived network. Furthermore, ET reveals vesicle pores that could enable release of newly synthesized viral RNA and reveals budding of DENV particles on ER membranes directly apposed to vesicle pores. Thus, DENV modifies ER membrane structure to promote replication and efficient encapsidation of the genome into progeny virus. This architecture of DENV replication and assembly sites could explain the coordination of distinct steps of the flavivirus replication cycle.

Key Points Plus-stranded RNA viruses induce large membrane structures that might support the replication of their genomes. Similarly, cytoplasmic replication of poxviruses (large DNA viruses) occurs in associated membranes. These membranes originate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or endosomes. Membrane vesicles that support viral replication are induced by a number of RNA viruses. Similarly, the poxvirus replication site is surrounded by a double-membraned cisterna that is derived from the ER. Analogies to autophagy have been proposed since the finding that autophagy cellular processes involve the formation of double-membrane vesicles. However, molecular evidence to support this hypothesis is lacking. Membrane association of the viral replication complex is mediated by the presence of one or more viral proteins that contain sequences which associate with, or integrate into, membranes. Replication-competent membranes might contain viral or cellular proteins that contain amphipathic helices, which could mediate the membrane bending that is required to form spherical vesicles. Whereas poxvirus DNA replication occurs inside the ER-enclosed site, for most RNA viruses the topology of replication is not clear. Preliminary results for some RNA viruses suggest that their replication could also occur inside double-membrane vesicles. We speculate that cytoplasmic replication might occur inside sites that are 'enwrapped' by an ER-derived cisterna, and that these cisternae are open to the cytoplasm. Thus, RNA and DNA viruses could use a common mechanism for replication that involves membrane wrapping by cellular cisternal membranes. We propose that three-dimensional analyses using high-resolution electron-microscopy techniques could be useful for addressing this issue. High-throughput small-interfering-RNA screens should also shed light on molecular requirements for virus-induced membrane modifications.

Coagulation is a dynamic process and the understanding of the blood coagulation system has evolved over the recent years in anaesthetic practice. Although the traditional classification of the coagulation system into extrinsic and intrinsic pathway is still valid, the newer insights into coagulation provide more authentic description of the same. Normal coagulation pathway represents a balance between the pro coagulant pathway that is responsible for clot formation and the mechanisms that inhibit the same beyond the injury site. Imbalance of the coagulation system may occur in the perioperative period or during critical illness, which may be secondary to numerous factors leading to a tendency of either thrombosis or bleeding. A systematic search of literature on PubMed with MeSH terms ‘coagulation system, haemostasis and anaesthesia revealed twenty eight related clinical trials and review articles in last 10 years. Since the balance of the coagulation system may tilt towards bleeding and thrombosis in many situations, it is mandatory for the clinicians to understand physiologic basis of haemostasis in order to diagnose and manage the abnormalities of the coagulation process and to interpret the diagnostic tests done for the same.