The pseudorabies virus VP1/2 tegument protein is required for intracellular capsid transport

J Virol. 2006 Jan;80(1):201-9. doi: 10.1128/JVI.80.1.201-209.2006.

Abstract

Transport of capsids in cells is critical to alphaherpesvirus infection and pathogenesis; however, viral factors required for transport have yet to be identified. Here we provide a detailed examination of capsid dynamics during the egress phase of infection in Vero cells infected with pseudorabies virus. We demonstrate that the VP1/2 tegument protein is required for processive microtubule-based transport of capsids in the cytoplasm. A second tegument protein that binds to VP1/2, UL37, was necessary for wild-type transport but was not essential for this process. Both proteins were also required for efficient nuclear egress of capsids to the cytoplasm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Herpesvirus 1, Suid / physiology*
  • Protein Transport
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / physiology*
  • Viral Structural Proteins / physiology*
  • Virion / physiology
  • Virus Assembly / physiology*

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • UL37 protein, Human herpesvirus 1
  • Viral Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Structural Proteins