Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.

Large-scale codon re-encoding represents a powerful method of attenuating viruses to generate safe and cost-effective vaccines. In contrast to specific approaches of codon re-encoding which modify genome-scale properties, we evaluated the effects of random codon re-encoding on the re-emerging human...

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Main Authors: Antoine Nougairede, Lauriane De Fabritus, Fabien Aubry, Ernest A Gould, Edward C Holmes, Xavier de Lamballerie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2013-02-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3578757?pdf=render
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author Antoine Nougairede
Lauriane De Fabritus
Fabien Aubry
Ernest A Gould
Edward C Holmes
Xavier de Lamballerie
author_facet Antoine Nougairede
Lauriane De Fabritus
Fabien Aubry
Ernest A Gould
Edward C Holmes
Xavier de Lamballerie
author_sort Antoine Nougairede
collection DOAJ
description Large-scale codon re-encoding represents a powerful method of attenuating viruses to generate safe and cost-effective vaccines. In contrast to specific approaches of codon re-encoding which modify genome-scale properties, we evaluated the effects of random codon re-encoding on the re-emerging human pathogen Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and assessed the stability of the resultant viruses during serial in cellulo passage. Using different combinations of three 1.4 kb randomly re-encoded regions located throughout the CHIKV genome six codon re-encoded viruses were obtained. Introducing a large number of slightly deleterious synonymous mutations reduced the replicative fitness of CHIKV in both primate and arthropod cells, demonstrating the impact of synonymous mutations on fitness. Decrease of replicative fitness correlated with the extent of re-encoding, an observation that may assist in the modulation of viral attenuation. The wild-type and two re-encoded viruses were passaged 50 times either in primate or insect cells, or in each cell line alternately. These viruses were analyzed using detailed fitness assays, complete genome sequences and the analysis of intra-population genetic diversity. The response to codon re-encoding and adaptation to culture conditions occurred simultaneously, resulting in significant replicative fitness increases for both re-encoded and wild type viruses. Importantly, however, the most re-encoded virus failed to recover its replicative fitness. Evolution of these viruses in response to codon re-encoding was largely characterized by the emergence of both synonymous and non-synonymous mutations, sometimes located in genomic regions other than those involving re-encoding, and multiple convergent and compensatory mutations. However, there was a striking absence of codon reversion (<0.4%). Finally, multiple mutations were rapidly fixed in primate cells, whereas mosquito cells acted as a brake on evolution. In conclusion, random codon re-encoding provides important information on the evolution and genetic stability of CHIKV viruses and could be exploited to develop a safe, live attenuated CHIKV vaccine.
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spelling doaj.art-dda0d2b365ca48178662fbd1061f78912022-12-22T00:49:48ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Pathogens1553-73661553-73742013-02-0192e100317210.1371/journal.ppat.1003172Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.Antoine NougairedeLauriane De FabritusFabien AubryErnest A GouldEdward C HolmesXavier de LamballerieLarge-scale codon re-encoding represents a powerful method of attenuating viruses to generate safe and cost-effective vaccines. In contrast to specific approaches of codon re-encoding which modify genome-scale properties, we evaluated the effects of random codon re-encoding on the re-emerging human pathogen Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and assessed the stability of the resultant viruses during serial in cellulo passage. Using different combinations of three 1.4 kb randomly re-encoded regions located throughout the CHIKV genome six codon re-encoded viruses were obtained. Introducing a large number of slightly deleterious synonymous mutations reduced the replicative fitness of CHIKV in both primate and arthropod cells, demonstrating the impact of synonymous mutations on fitness. Decrease of replicative fitness correlated with the extent of re-encoding, an observation that may assist in the modulation of viral attenuation. The wild-type and two re-encoded viruses were passaged 50 times either in primate or insect cells, or in each cell line alternately. These viruses were analyzed using detailed fitness assays, complete genome sequences and the analysis of intra-population genetic diversity. The response to codon re-encoding and adaptation to culture conditions occurred simultaneously, resulting in significant replicative fitness increases for both re-encoded and wild type viruses. Importantly, however, the most re-encoded virus failed to recover its replicative fitness. Evolution of these viruses in response to codon re-encoding was largely characterized by the emergence of both synonymous and non-synonymous mutations, sometimes located in genomic regions other than those involving re-encoding, and multiple convergent and compensatory mutations. However, there was a striking absence of codon reversion (<0.4%). Finally, multiple mutations were rapidly fixed in primate cells, whereas mosquito cells acted as a brake on evolution. In conclusion, random codon re-encoding provides important information on the evolution and genetic stability of CHIKV viruses and could be exploited to develop a safe, live attenuated CHIKV vaccine.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3578757?pdf=render
spellingShingle Antoine Nougairede
Lauriane De Fabritus
Fabien Aubry
Ernest A Gould
Edward C Holmes
Xavier de Lamballerie
Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
PLoS Pathogens
title Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
title_full Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
title_fullStr Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
title_full_unstemmed Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
title_short Random codon re-encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of Chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells.
title_sort random codon re encoding induces stable reduction of replicative fitness of chikungunya virus in primate and mosquito cells
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3578757?pdf=render
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