MERS-CoV nsp1 regulates autophagic flux via mTOR signalling and dysfunctional lysosomes.

Autophagy, a cellular surveillance mechanism, plays an important role in combating invading pathogens. However, viruses have evolved various strategies to disrupt autophagy and even hijack it for replication and release. Here, we demonstrated that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) non-structural protein 1(nsp1) induces autophagy but inhibits autophagic activity. MERS-CoV nsp1 expression increased ROS and reduced ATP levels in cells, which activated AMPK and inhibited the mTOR signalling pathway, resulting in autophagy induction. Meanwhile, as an endonuclease, MERS-CoV nsp1 downregulated the mRNA of lysosome-related genes that were enriched in nsp1-located granules, which diminished lysosomal biogenesis and acidification, and inhibited autophagic flux. Importantly, MERS-CoV nsp1-induced autophagy can lead to cell death in vitro and in vivo. These findings clarify the mechanism by which MERS-CoV nsp1-mediated autophagy regulation, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of the coronavirus.

Resisting Foreign Hostility in China’s English-language News Media during the COVID-19 Crisis

Studies of crisis communication have increasingly used a critical approach to shift the focus of research from how crises are managed to the role of social power and ideology, but little is known about the discursive construction of resistance in response to global health crises. To fill this niche, this article uses critical discourse analysis to investigate how China’s state-run media resisted what it deemed to be undue foreign hostility towards China over the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on an analysis of 63 reports in China’s English-language news media, the article finds that the Chinese media developed a discourse of resistance via three main strategies: enemification, victimisation and heroisation. These strategies draw on a variety of linguistic mechanisms, specifically argumentative topoi, nominations, predications and metaphors. The discourse of resistance constructed by the Chinese media has implications for how nationalism and humanitarianism are practised and promoted in China. The article shows that the state-run media constructed a discourse of resistance as part of China’s response to the COVID crisis, to help shape China’s national image and to convey its geopolitical messages to the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Studies Review is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)