The N-linked glycosylation modifications in the hepatitis B surface protein impact cellular autophagy, HBV replication, and HBV secretion

Abstract

N-linked glycosylation is a pivotal post-translational modification that significantly influences various aspects of protein biology. Autophagy, a critical cellular process, is instrumental in cell survival and maintenance. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) has evolved mechanisms to manipulate this process to ensure its survival within host cells. Significantly, post-translational N-linked glycosylation in the large surface protein of HBV (LHBs) influences virion assembly, infectivity, and immune evasion. This study investigated the role of N-linked glycosylation of LHBs in autophagy, and its subsequent effects on HBV replication and secretion. LHBs plasmids were constructed by incorporating single-, double-, and triple-mutated N-linked glycosylation sites through amino acid substitutions at N4, N112, and N309. In comparison to the wild-type LHBs, N-glycan mutants, including N309Q, N4-309Q, N112-309Q, and N4-112-309Q, induced autophagy gene expression and led to autophagosome accumulation in hepatoma cells. Acridine orange staining of cells expressing LHBs mutations revealed impaired lysosomal acidification, suggesting potential blockage of autophagic flux at later stages. Furthermore, N-glycan mutants increased the mRNA expression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Notably, N309Q significantly elevated HBx oncogene level. The LHBs mutants, particularly N309Q and N112-309Q, significantly enhanced HBV replication, whereas N309Q, N4-309Q, and N4-112-309Q markedly increased HBV progeny secretion. Remarkably, our findings demonstrated that autophagy is indispensable for the impact of N-linked glycosylation mutations in LHBs on HBV secretion, as evidenced by experiments with a 3-methyladenine (3-MA) inhibitor. Our study provides pioneering insights into the interplay between N-linked glycosylation mutations in LHBs, host autophagy, and the HBV life cycle. Additionally, we offer a new clue for further investigation into carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These findings underscore the potential of targeting either N-linked glycosylation modifications or the autophagic pathway for the development of innovative therapies against HBV and/or HCC.