Hepatitis E virus ORF1 encoded non structural protein–host protein interaction network

•By using yeast two hybrid system, total 155 cellular proteins were identified as interacting partners of hepatitis E virus non structural proteins.•Gene set enrichment analysis shows that most of them belong to metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and host immune response.•mTOR and focal adhesion pathways are specifically targeted by HEV.

Hepatitis E virus ORF1 encoded non-structural polyprotein (nsP) consist of multiple domains, namely: Methyltransferase, Y-domain, Protease, X-domain, Helicase and RNA dependent RNA polymerase. We have attempted to identify human liver cell proteins that are interacting with HEV ORF1 encoded functional domains by using Y2H screening. A total of 155 protein–protein interactions between HEV-ORF1 and human proteins were identified. Comparative analysis of the HEV-ORF1-Human interaction network with reconstructed human interactome showed that the cellular proteins interacting with HEV-ORF1 are central and interconnected. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology and cellular pathways showed that the viral proteins preferentially interacted with the proteins of metabolism and energy generation along with host immune response and ubiquitin proteasomal pathways. The mTOR and focal adhesion pathways were also targeted by the virus. These interactions suggest that HEV probably utilizes important proteins in carbohydrate metabolism, energy generation and iron homoeostasis in the host cells during its establishment.

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