The UL34 gene product of herpes simplex virus type 2 is a tail-anchored type II membrane protein that is significant for virus envelopment

Citation
C. Dhiba et al., The UL34 gene product of herpes simplex virus type 2 is a tail-anchored type II membrane protein that is significant for virus envelopment, J GEN VIROL, 81, 2000, pp. 2397-2405
Citations number
31
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
ISSN journal
0022-1317 → ACNP
Volume
81
Year of publication
2000
Part
10
Pages
2397 - 2405
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-1317(200010)81:<2397:TUGPOH>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
The UL34 gene of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is highly conserved in the herpesvirus family. The UL34 gene product was identified In lysates of HSV-2-infected cells as protein species with molecular masses of 31 and 32 .5 kDa, the latter being a phosphorylated product. Synthesis of these prote ins occurred at late times post-infection and was highly dependent on viral DNA synthesis. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that the UL34 protein wa s localized in the cytoplasm in a continuous net-like structure, closely re sembling the staining pattern of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in both HS V-2-infected cells and in cells transiently expressing UL34 protein. Deleti on mutant analysis showed that this colocalization required the C terminus of the UL34 protein. The UL34 protein associated with virions but not with A, B or C capsids. We treated virions, HSV-2-infected cells and cells expre ssing the UL34 protein with a protease in order to examine the topology of the UL34 protein. In addition, we constructed UL34 deletion mutant proteins and examined their intracellular localization. Our data strongly support t he hypothesis that the UL34 protein is inserted into the viral envelope as a tail-anchored type II membrane protein and is significant for virus envel opment.