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Biomolecules
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Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections
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Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 5310

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ioannis Karakasiliotis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: virus-host interactions; virome; viral evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Christine Kottaridi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: oncogenic viruses; virus-host interactions; viral genome editing; viral evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viruses are complex biological entities that have evolved intricate molecular mechanisms to invade host cells in order to replicate and spread efficiently. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral infections is essential for unraveling the dynamic interactions between viruses and host cells, elucidating the pathogenesis of viral diseases, and devising effective antiviral strategies. This Special Issue delves into the fundamental principles governing virus–host interactions, the key molecular events facilitating virus entry, replication, and spread, and the implications of these interactions in disease. By dissecting the molecular intricacies of viral infections, researchers aim to develop innovative therapeutics and vaccines to combat viral infections and mitigate their global impact on public health.

The aim of this Special Issue is to better understand the molecular mechanisms that are implicated in viral infections. We welcome submissions of research articles and reviews focused on molecular mechanisms unraveling the dynamic interactions between viruses and host cells. This Special Issue of Biomolecules focuses on mechanisms such as viral entry, replication, assembly, egress, pathogenesis, and diversity and antiviral strategies, vaccine candidates, host responses, and signaling and development of new tools to study the above mechanisms in order to align with expert views, state of the art, and recent advancements in the field of viral infections.

Dr. Ioannis Karakasiliotis
Dr. Christine Kottaridi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral replication
  • virus evolution
  • immune response
  • antiviral strategies virus
  • infection
  • pathogenesis
  • virulence

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2595 KiB  
Article
Probenecid Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs)
by Les P. Jones, David E. Martin, Jackelyn Murray, Fred Sancilio and Ralph A. Tripp
Biomolecules 2025, 15(4), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040511 - 1 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 307
Abstract
Probenecid has long been a versatile drug in pharmacological therapies, primarily known for blocking active tubular secretion in the kidney, affecting both endogenous substances like uric acid and exogenous ones like penicillin. Beyond its renal applications, probenecid has shown capabilities in crossing the [...] Read more.
Probenecid has long been a versatile drug in pharmacological therapies, primarily known for blocking active tubular secretion in the kidney, affecting both endogenous substances like uric acid and exogenous ones like penicillin. Beyond its renal applications, probenecid has shown capabilities in crossing the blood–brain barrier and modulating the activity of various membrane channels and transporters. This compound has emerged as a potent antiviral agent, demonstrating efficacy against multiple viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Clinical trials with COVID-19 patients have confirmed its antiviral potential, sparking further investigation into its mechanisms of action. This study explores probenecid’s significant anti-inflammatory properties, focusing on its ability to inhibit inflammasome activation. Our study aims to unravel the anti-inflammatory effects of probenecid on the NLRP3 inflammasome and MAPK signaling pathways using murine macrophages as a relevant inflammation model. We reveal that probenecid treatment blocks JNK and ERK signaling without affecting p38 MAPK, suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Additionally, probenecid does not affect NFκB-directed protein expression, although it efficiently inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome outputs, e.g., IL-1β and pyroptosis. These results indicate probenecid’s potential therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections)
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16 pages, 1725 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Association Between Torquetenovirus Viral Load and Immunosuppressive Drug Exposure in Lung Transplantation
by Victor M. Mora, Emilio Rodrigo, David Iturbe-Fernández, Sheila Izquierdo, Sandra Tello, Adalberto Benito-Hernández, Maria Mar García-Saiz, David San Segundo, María Victoria Francia and Jose M. Cifrián
Biomolecules 2025, 15(4), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040494 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 188
Abstract
To improve lung transplant recipient (LungTx) outcome, it would be of great interest to measure the net state of immunosuppression to avoid both infection and rejection. Measurement of Torquetenovirus load (TTV load) has been proposed as a biomarker to monitor solid organ transplantation, [...] Read more.
To improve lung transplant recipient (LungTx) outcome, it would be of great interest to measure the net state of immunosuppression to avoid both infection and rejection. Measurement of Torquetenovirus load (TTV load) has been proposed as a biomarker to monitor solid organ transplantation, but its relationship with immunosuppressive drugs, particularly mycophenolic acid (MPA), is not well understood. We performed a prospective study of 53 LungTx, measuring TTV load before transplantation, at week 3, and at month 3. Tacrolimus and MPA doses and levels were recorded, and an area under the MPA curve (AUC-MPA) was calculated at the third month. LungTx in the fourth quartile of TTV load at the third week and the third month exhibited a low risk of acute rejection (OR 0.113, 95% CI 0.013–0.953, p = 0.045) and a high risk of opportunistic infection from month 3 to 6 (OR 15.200, 95% CI 1.525–151.511, p = 0.020), respectively. TTV load was weakly related to tacrolimus trough level at month 3 (rho = 0.283, p = 0.040). Neither MPA blood levels nor AUC-MPA were related to TTV load, although only patients with a reduction in MPA dose from month 1 to 3 showed a smaller increase in TTV load (0.86, IQR 2.58 log10 copies/mL vs. 2.26, IQR 3.02 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.026). In conclusion, TTV load in LungTx is only partially related to exposure to immunosuppressive drugs. Other variables, such as inflammation, immunosenescence, and frailty, may influence the overall level of immunosuppression and TTV load. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections)
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15 pages, 4617 KiB  
Article
Human Coronavirus 229E Uses Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis as a Route of Entry in Huh-7 Cells
by Sabina Andreu, Inés Ripa, José Antonio López-Guerrero and Raquel Bello-Morales
Biomolecules 2024, 14(10), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14101232 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is an endemic coronavirus responsible for approximately one-third of “common cold” cases. To infect target cells, HCoV-229E first binds to its receptor on the cell surface and then can follow different pathways, entering by direct fusion or by taking [...] Read more.
Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is an endemic coronavirus responsible for approximately one-third of “common cold” cases. To infect target cells, HCoV-229E first binds to its receptor on the cell surface and then can follow different pathways, entering by direct fusion or by taking advantage of host cell mechanisms such as endocytosis. Based on the role of clathrin, the process can be classified into clathrin-dependent or -independent endocytosis. This study characterizes the role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in HCoV-229E infection of the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7. Using specific CME inhibitory drugs, we demonstrated that blocking CME significantly reduces HCoV-229E infection. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the µ subunit of adaptor protein complex 2 (AP-2) further corroborated the role of CME, as KOs showed over a 50% reduction in viral infection. AP-2 plays an important role in clathrin recruitment and the maturation of clathrin-coated vesicles. Our study also confirmed that in Huh-7 cells, HCoV-229E requires endosomal acidification for successful entry, as viral entry decreased when treated with lysomotropic agents. Furthermore, the colocalization of HCoV-229E with early endosome antigen 1 (EEA-1), only present in early endosomes, suggested that the virus uses an endosomal route for entry. These findings highlight, for the first time, the role of CME in HCoV-229E infection and confirm previous data of the use of the endosomal route at a low pH in the experimental cell model Huh-7. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms of entry of HCoV-229E and provide a new basis for the development of targeted antiviral therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections)
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17 pages, 2964 KiB  
Article
Biomolecular Dynamics of Nitric Oxide Metabolites and HIF1α in HPV Infection
by Clara Matei, Ilinca Nicolae, Madalina Irina Mitran, Cristina Iulia Mitran, Corina Daniela Ene, Gheorghe Nicolae, Simona Roxana Georgescu and Mircea Tampa
Biomolecules 2024, 14(9), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14091172 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1065
Abstract
Introduction: Viral infections cause oxygen deprivation, leading to hypoxia or anoxia in certain tissues. The limitation of mitochondrial respiration is one of the major events during hypoxia that induces alternative metabolic activities and increased levels of certain biomolecules such as nitric oxide (NO) [...] Read more.
Introduction: Viral infections cause oxygen deprivation, leading to hypoxia or anoxia in certain tissues. The limitation of mitochondrial respiration is one of the major events during hypoxia that induces alternative metabolic activities and increased levels of certain biomolecules such as nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of NO metabolites and hypoxia in HPV infection. Materials and Methods: We included 36 patients with palmoplantar warts and 36 healthy subjects and performed serum determinations of NO metabolites (direct nitrite, total nitrite, nitrate, and 3-nitrotyrosine) and HIF1α, a marker of hypoxia. Results: We found elevated serum levels in NO metabolites and HIF1α, and decreased direct nitrite/nitrate ratios in patients with warts versus controls. Additionally, we identified statistically significant positive correlations between NO metabolites and HIF1α levels, except for 3-nitrotyrosine. Conclusions: Our findings show that HPV infection causes hypoxia and alterations in NO metabolism and suggest a link between wart development and cellular stress. Our research could provide new insights for a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of cutaneous HPV infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections)
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24 pages, 17687 KiB  
Article
Secondary Envelopment of Human Cytomegalovirus Is a Fast Process Utilizing the Endocytic Compartment as a Major Membrane Source
by Tim Bergner, Laura Cortez Rayas, Gesa Freimann, Clarissa Read and Jens von Einem
Biomolecules 2024, 14(9), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14091149 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1332
Abstract
Secondary envelopment of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a critical but not well-understood process that takes place at the cytoplasmic viral assembly complex (cVAC) where nucleocapsids acquire their envelope by budding into cellular membranes containing viral glycoproteins. Previous studies presented controversial results regarding [...] Read more.
Secondary envelopment of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a critical but not well-understood process that takes place at the cytoplasmic viral assembly complex (cVAC) where nucleocapsids acquire their envelope by budding into cellular membranes containing viral glycoproteins. Previous studies presented controversial results regarding the composition of the viral envelope, suggesting trans-Golgi and endosomal origins, as well as intersections with the exosomal and endocytic pathways. Here, we investigated the role of endocytic membranes for the secondary envelopment of HCMV by using wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) pulse labeling to label glycoproteins at the plasma membrane and to follow their trafficking during HCMV infection by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). WGA labeled different membrane compartments within the cVAC, including early endosomes, multivesicular bodies, trans-Golgi, and recycling endosomes. Furthermore, TEM analysis showed that almost 90% of capsids undergoing secondary envelopment and 50% of enveloped capsids were WGA-positive within 90 min. Our data reveal extensive remodeling of the endocytic compartment in the late stage of HCMV infection, where the endocytic compartment provides an optimized environment for virion morphogenesis and serves as the primary membrane source for secondary envelopment. Furthermore, we show that secondary envelopment is a rapid process in which endocytosed membranes are transported from the plasma membrane to the cVAC within minutes to be utilized by capsids for envelopment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infections)
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