The Host DHX9 DExH-Box Helicase Is Recruited to Chikungunya Virus Replication Complexes for Optimal Genomic RNA Translation

Roy Matkovic, Eric Bernard, Simon Fontanel, Patrick Eldin, Nathalie Chazal, Deka Hassan Hersi, Andres Merits, Jean-Marie Péloponèse, Laurence Briant

Journal of Virology2/15/2019·DOI·Read paper

Abstract

The reemergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus that is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, is a serious global health threat. In the absence of effective antiviral drugs, CHIKV infection has a significant impact on human health, with chronic arthritis being one of the most serious complications. The molecular understanding of host-virus interactions is a prerequisite to the development of targeted therapeutics capable to interrupt viral replication and transmission. Here, we identify the host cell DHX9 DExH-Box helicase as an essential cofactor for early CHIKV genome translation. We demonstrate that CHIKV nsP3 protein acts as a key factor for DHX9 recruitment to replication complexes. Finally, we establish that DHX9 behaves as a switch that regulates the progression of the viral cycle from translation to genome replication. This study might therefore have a significant impact on the development of antiviral strategies.

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