Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infects most humans and causes chickenpox, shingles and central nervous system pathologies. The molecular basis for these phenotypes remains elusive. Here we conducted a multi-proteomic survey on 64 individual VZV proteins and infection-induced perturbations in a neuronal cell line, identifying 900 interactors and 3,618 regulated host proteins. Data integration suggested molecular functions of viral proteins, such as a mechanism for the ORF61-mediated IFI16 degradation via the recruitment of E3 ligase co-factors. Moreover, we identified proviral host factors (MPP8 and ZNF280D) as potential targets to limit infection. Integration of exome sequencing analysis from patients with VZV-associated central nervous system pathologies identified nephrocystin 4 as a viral restriction factor, and its S862N variant, which showed reduced activity and decreased binding to the regulatory proteins 14-3-3. Collectively, our study provides a comprehensive herpesvirus-host interface resource, which aids our understanding of disease-associated molecular perturbations and data-driven identification of antiviral treatment options.
Förderungen German Federal Ministry of Education and Research Independent Research Fund Denmark The 'COVIPA' consortium (Helmholtz Association's Initiative and Networking Fund) Danish National Research Foundation ERC Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions-Innovative Training Networks Programme European Union under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program TUM Innovation Network NextGenDrugs funded under the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government Wellcome Trust MRC Human Immunology Unit UK Medical Research Council (MRC) Federal Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF) State of Bavaria German Research Foundation Technische Universität München