Palmitoylation mediates membrane association of hepatitis E virus ORF3 protein and is required for infectious particle secretion

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a positive-strand RNA virus encoding 3 open reading frames (ORF).HEV ORF3 protein is a small, hitherto poorly characterized protein involved in viral particle secretion and possibly other functions.Here, we show that HEV ORF3 protein forms membrane-associated oligomers.Immunoblot analyses of ORF3 protein expressed in cell-free vs. cellular systems suggested a posttranslational modification.Further analyses revealed that HEV ORF3 protein is palmitoylated at cysteine residues in its N-terminal region, as corroborated by 3 H-palmitate labeling, the investigation of cysteine-to-alanine substitution mutants and treatment with the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP).Abrogation of palmitoylation by site-directed mutagenesis or 2-BP treatment altered the subcellular localization of ORF3 protein, reduced the stability of the protein and strongly impaired the secretion of infectious particles.Moreover, selective membrane permeabilization coupled with immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that HEV ORF3 protein is entirely exposed to the cytosolic side of the membrane, allowing to propose a model for its membrane topology and interactions required in the viral life cycle.In conclusion, palmitoylation determines the subcellular localization, membrane topology and function of HEV ORF3 protein in the HEV life cycle. Author summaryHepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is believed to be the most common cause of acute hepatitis and jaundice in the world.HEV is a positive-strand RNA virus found as a non-enveloped virion in bile and feces or as a quasi-enveloped virion in blood and in cell culture.The HEV ORF3 protein is involved in viral particle secretion likely through the exosomal pathway.Here, we provide evidence for palmitoylation of ORF3 protein at its N-terminal