AMP-activated protein kinase facilitates avian reovirus to induce mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and MAPK kinase 3/6 signalling that is beneficial for virus replication

Abstract

Stimulated by energetic stress, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) controls several cellular functions. It was discovered here that infection of Vero cells with avian reovirus (ARV) upregulated AMPK and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Being an energy status sensor, AMPK is potentially an upstream regulator of MAPK p38. Treatment with 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribose (AICAR), a well-known activator of AMPK, induced phosphorylation of MAPK p38. Unlike AICAR, wortmannin or rapamycin did not induce phosphorylation of MAPK p38, suggesting that mTOR inhibition is not a determining factor in MAPK p38 phosphorylation. Inhibition of AMPK by compound C antagonized the effect of AICAR on MAPK p38 in Vero cells. Specific inhibition of AMPK by small interfering RNA or compound C also suppressed ARV-induced phosphorylation of MAPK kinase (MKK) 3/6 and MAPK p38 in Vero and DF-1 cells, thereby providing a link between AMPK signalling and the MAPK p38 pathway. The mechanism of ARV-enhanced phosphorylation of MKK 3/6 and MAPK p38 in cells was not merely due to glucose deprivation, a probable activator of AMPK. In the current study, direct inhibition of MAPK p38 by SB202190 decreased the level of ARV-induced syncytium formation in Vero and DF-1 cells, and decreased the protein levels of ARV σA and σC and the progeny titre of ARV, suggesting that activation of MAPK p38 is beneficial for ARV replication. Taken together, these results suggested that AMPK could facilitate MKK 3/6 and MAPK p38 signalling that is beneficial for ARV replication. Although well studied in energy metabolism, this study provides evidence for the first time that AMPK plays a role in modulating ARV and host-cell interaction.