Intracellular route and biological activity of exogenously delivered Rep proteins from the adeno-associated virus type 2

Virology. 2005 May 10;335(2):252-63. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.02.024.

Abstract

The two large Rep proteins, Rep78 and Rep68, from the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2) are required for AAV-2 DNA replication, site-specific integration, and for the regulation of viral gene expression. The study of their activities is dependent on the ability to deliver these proteins to the cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. We evaluated the ability of a protein transduction domain (PTD) derived from the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) TAT protein to drive the cellular internalization of exogenously delivered PTD-fused Rep68 proteins. This analysis unexpectedly revealed that recombinant Rep68 alone, in the absence of any PTD, could be endocytosed by the cells. Rep68 as the chimeric TAT-Rep68 proteins were internalized through endocytosis in clathrin-coated vesicles and retained in late endosomes/lysosomes with no detectable nuclear localization. In the presence of adenovirus, the Rep proteins could translocate into the nucleus where they displayed a biological activity. These findings support recent reports on the mechanism of entry of TAT-fused proteins and also revealed a new property of Rep68.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Dependovirus / chemistry*
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Endocytosis
  • HeLa Cells
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Solubility
  • Viral Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Viral Proteins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • rep proteins, Adeno-associated virus 2
  • Heparin