Herpesvirus tegument protein pUL37 interacts with dystonin/BPAG1 to promote capsid transport on microtubules during egress

J Virol. 2013 Mar;87(5):2857-67. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02676-12. Epub 2012 Dec 26.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that travels long distances through cells using the microtubule network. Its 125-nm-diameter capsid is a large cargo which efficiently recruits molecular motors for movement. Upon entry, capsids reach the centrosome by minus-end-directed transport. From there, they are believed to reach the nucleus by plus-end-directed transport. Plus-end-directed transport is also important during egress, when capsids leave the nucleus to reach the site of envelopment in the cytoplasm. Although capsid interactions with dynein and kinesins have been described in vitro, the actual composition of the cellular machinery recruited by herpesviruses for capsid transport in infected cells remains unknown. Here, we identify the spectraplakin protein, dystonin/BPAG1, an important cytoskeleton cross-linker involved in microtubule-based transport, as a binding partner of the HSV-1 protein pUL37, which has been implicated in capsid transport. Viral replication is delayed in dystonin-depleted cells, and, using video microscopy of living infected cells, we show that dystonin depletion strongly inhibits capsid movement in the cytoplasm during egress. This study provides new insights into the cellular requirements for HSV-1 capsid transport and identifies dystonin as a nonmotor protein part of the transport machinery.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capsid / physiology*
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dystonin
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpes Simplex / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / virology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Structural Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Release
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DST protein, human
  • Dystonin
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • UL37 protein, Human herpesvirus 1
  • Viral Structural Proteins