Dr. Xiaofeng Wang
Assistant Professor, Plant Molecular Virology
Texas AgriLife Research Center at Weslaco
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
956-969-5633
xiwang@ag.tamu.edu
Education
Ph.D.: Genetics, Michigan State University
M.S.: Plant genetics and breeding, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
B.S.: Plant genetics and breeding, China Agricultural University
Research Emphasis:
Viral RNA replication and virus-host interactions of positive-strand RNA viruses
Positive-strand RNA viruses [(+)RNA viruses] are the largest viral class, including the vast majority of plant viruses as well as many important human and animal pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus and SARS coronavirus. Despite diverse host ranges and genome organizations, all (+)RNA viruses share similar strategies in RNA replication, the most critical step in viral life cycle. My lab uses engineered Brome mosaic virus (BMV)-yeast and BMV-Nicotiana benthamiana systems to study viral RNA replication mechanisms and virus-host interactions.
All (+)RNA viruses replicate their RNA genomes on host intracellular membranes in association with vesicular spherules or other membrane alterations. While it is well documented that these membrane rearrangements are induced by viral proteins to serve as replication complexes, the mechanisms whereby these membrane rearrangements are formed are not well understood and the microenvironment of the replication compartments is not well defined. BMV, essentially the replication protein 1a, induces perinuclear ER membrane invaginations into the ER lumen to form viral replication compartments in yeast, barley and N. benthamiana. Understanding how BMV modulates host membrane rearrangement and lipid synthesis to accommodate these alterations will reveal underlying functional and structural similarities fundamental to many (+)RNA viruses. We currently focus on the interactions between host lipid synthesis and viral replication complex assembly and function. The goals of our research are to advance our knowledge of the viral RNA replication mechanisms and develop broad-spectrum antiviral strategies.
Recent Publications
Wang X.*, Diaz A., Hao L., Gancarz B., den Boon J. A., and Ahlquist P.* (2011) Intersection of the multivesicular body pathway and lipid homeostasis in RNA replication of a positive-strand RNA virus. Journal of Virology 85: 5494-5503, *: Co-corresponding authors (Featured in SPOTLIGHT)
Diaz A., Wang X., and Ahlquist P. (2010) Membrane-shaping host reticulon proteins play crucial roles in viral RNA replication compartment formation and function. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107: 16291-16296
Liu L., Westler W.M., den Boon J. A., Wang X., Diaz A., Steinberg H.A., and Ahlquist P. (2009) An amphipathic a-helix controls multiple roles of brome mosaic virus protein 1a in RNA replication complex assembly and function. PLoS Pathogen 5: e1000351
Wang, X., and Ahlquist P. (2008) Filling a GAP(DH) in asymmetric viral RNA synthesis. Cell Host & Microbe. 3: 124-125
Wang, X., and Ahlquist P. (2008) Brome mosaic virus (Bromoviridae). In: Encyclopedia of Virology (B.W.J. Mahy and M.H.V. van Regenmortel, eds), Third Edition, pp. 381-386, Academic Press, New York
Wang, X., Lee, W.M., Watanabe, T., Schwartz, M., Janda, M., and Ahlquist, P. (2005) Brome mosaic virus 1a nucleoside triphosphatase/helicase domain plays crucial roles in recruiting RNA replication templates. Journal of Virology 79: 13747-13758 (Featured in SPOTLIGHT)
Wang X., and Grumet R. (2004) Identification and characterization of proteins that interact with the carboxy terminus of poly(A)-binding protein and inhibit translation in vitro. Plant Molecular Biology 54: 85-98
Wang X., Ullah Z., and Grumet R. (2000) Interaction between zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and host poly- (A) binding protein. Virology 275:433-443
