In silico directed mutagenesis identifies the CD81/claudin-1 hepatitis C virus receptor interface

Christopher Davis, Helen J Harris, Ke Hu, Heidi Edelgard Drummer, Jane A McKeating, Jonathan G L Mullins, Peter Balfe

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34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry is dependent on host cell molecules tetraspanin CD81, scavenger receptor BI and tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin. We previously reported a role for CD81/claudin-1 receptor complexes in HCV entry; however, the molecular mechanism(s) driving association between the receptors is unknown. We explored the molecular interface between CD81 and claudin-1 using a combination of bioinformatic sequence-based modelling, site-directed mutagenesis and Fluorescent Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging methodologies. Structural modelling predicts the first extracellular loop of claudin-1 to have a flexible beta conformation and identifies a motif between amino acids 62-66 that interacts with CD81 residues T149, E152 and T153. FRET studies confirm a role for these CD81 residues in claudin-1 association and HCV infection. Importantly, mutation of these CD81 residues has minimal impact on protein conformation or HCV glycoprotein binding, highlighting a new functional domain of CD81 that is essential for virus entry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1892 - 1903
Number of pages12
JournalCellular Microbiology
Volume14
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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