Intracellular localization of Equine herpesvirus type 1 tegument protein VP22

Virus Res. 2014 Nov 4:192:103-13. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.08.006. Epub 2014 Sep 3.

Abstract

Intracellular localization of Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) tegument protein VP22 was examined by using a plasmid that expressed VP22 fused with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Also a recombinant EHV-1 expressing VP22 fused with a red fluorescent protein (mCherry) was constructed to observe the localization of VP22 in infected cells. When EGFP-fused VP22 was overexpressed in the cells, VP22 localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Live cell imaging suggested that the fluorescently tagged VP22 also localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. These results show that VP22 localizes in the cytoplasm and nucleus independently of other viral proteins. Experiments with truncation mutants of pEGFP-VP22 suggested that 154-188 aa might be the nuclear localization signal of EHV-1 VP22.

Keywords: Equine herpesvirus 1; Localization; Tegument; VP22.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry*
  • Cell Nucleus / virology
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry*
  • Cytoplasm / virology
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / physiology*
  • Horses
  • Luminescent Proteins / analysis
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / analysis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • Viral Structural Proteins / analysis*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Structural Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins