Inner tegument protein pUL37 of herpes simplex virus type 1 is involved in directing capsids to the trans-Golgi network for envelopment

J Gen Virol. 2010 Sep;91(Pt 9):2145-51. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.022053-0. Epub 2010 May 26.

Abstract

Secondary envelopment of herpes simplex virus type 1 has been demonstrated as taking place at the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The inner tegument proteins pUL36 and pUL37 and the envelope glycoproteins gD and gE are known to be important for secondary envelopment. We compared the cellular localizations of capsids from a virus mutant lacking the UL37 gene with those of a virus mutant lacking the genes encoding gD and gE. Although wild-type capsids accumulated at the TGN, capsids of the pUL37(-) mutant were distributed throughout the cytoplasm and showed no association with TGN-derived vesicles. This was in contrast to capsids from a gD(-)gE(-) mutant, which accumulated in the vicinity of TGN vesicles, but did not colocalize with them, suggesting that they were transported to the TGN but were unable to undergo envelopment. We conclude that the inner tegument protein pUL37 is required for directing capsids to the TGN, where secondary envelopment occurs.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Capsid / physiology
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Capsid Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Genes, Viral
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / physiology*
  • Virus Assembly / genetics
  • Virus Assembly / physiology
  • trans-Golgi Network / virology

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • UL37 protein, Human herpesvirus 1
  • Viral Structural Proteins
  • capsid protein VP26, herpes simplex virus type 1
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins