Norovirus NS1/2 protein increases glutaminolysis for efficient viral replication

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that rely on host cell metabolism for successful replication. Thus, viruses rewire host cell pathways involved in central carbon metabolism to increase the availability of building blocks for replication. However, the underlying mechanisms of virus-induced alterations to host metabolism are largely unknown. Noroviruses (NoVs) are highly prevalent pathogens that cause sporadic and epidemic viral gastroenteritis. In the present study, we uncovered several strain-specific and shared host cell metabolic requirements of three murine norovirus (MNV) strains, the acute MNV-1 strain and the persistent CR3 and CR6 strains. While all three strains required glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and the pentose phosphate pathway for optimal infection of macrophages, only MNV-1 relied on host oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, the first metabolic flux analysis of NoV-infected cells revealed that both glycolysis and glutaminolysis are upregulated during MNV-1 infection of macrophages. Glutamine deprivation affected the MNV lifecycle at the stage of genome replication, resulting in decreased non-structural and structural protein synthesis, viral assembly, and egress. Mechanistic studies further showed that MNV infection and overexpression of the MNV non-structural protein NS1/2 increased the enzymatic activity of the rate-limiting enzyme glutaminase. In conclusion, the inaugural investigation of NoV-induced alterations to host glutaminolysis identified the first viral regulator of glutaminolysis for RNA viruses, which increases our fundamental understanding of virus-induced metabolic alterations. Author SummaryAll viruses critically depend on the host cells they infect to provide the necessary machinery and building blocks for successful replication. Thus, viruses often alter host metabolic pathways to increase the availability of key metabolites they require. Human noroviruses (HNoVs) are a major cause of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis, leading to significant morbidity and economic burdens. To date, no vaccines or antivirals are available against NoVs, which demonstrates a need to better understand NoV biology, including the role host metabolism plays during infection. Using the murine norovirus (MNV) model, we show that host cell glutaminolysis is upregulated and required for optimal virus infection of macrophages. Additional data point to a model whereby the viral non-structural protein NS1/2 upregulates the enzymatic activity of glutaminase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glutaminolysis. Insights gained through investigating the role host metabolism plays in MNV replication may assist with improving HNoV cultivation methods and development of novel therapies.