Cellular actin-binding ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family proteins are incorporated into the rabies virion and closely associated with viral envelope proteins in the cell

Human sorting nexin 2 protein interacts with Influenza A virus PA protein and has a negative regulatory effect on the virus replication

Background

Replication of the influenza A viruses occurs in the cells through the viral RdRP consisting of PB1, PB2, and PA. Several cellular proteins are involved in these processes. This study aims to reveal the interaction between human SNX2 protein and the PA protein and the effects of the SNX2 on the virus replication.

Results

To identify potential host interacting proteins to the PA, yeast two-hybrid assay was carried out with HEK293 cell cDNA library and the PA as a bait. We focused on SNX2 protein, which interacts with the PA in the yeast cells. By using the co-immunoprecipitation assays, it has been demonstrated that the amino-terminal part of the PA was important for binding to the SNX2. Immunolocalization of the proteins in HeLa cells supported this interaction. Knockdown of the SNX2 with siRNA in the cells resulted in a significant increase in both viral transcripts and virus growth. However, the increase of SNX2 in transfected cells didn’t cause a significant change in the viral RdRP activity in minireplicon assay. This may suggest that the negative effect of SNX2 on the virus replication could be saturated with its authentic intra-cellular amount.

Conclusions

This study revealed that the SNX2 and PA protein interact with each other in both yeast and HEK293 cells, and the SNX2 has a negative regulatory function on the virus replication. However, more knowledge is required to elucidate the action mechanism of the SNX2 on the influenza A virus replication at the molecular level.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11033-021-06906-9.

Ezrin Orchestrates Signal Transduction in Airway Cells

Ezrin is a critical structural protein that organizes receptor complexes and orchestrates their signal transduction. In this study, we review the ezrin-meditated regulation of critical receptor complexes, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), CD44, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) receptor. We also analyze the ezrin-meditated regulation of critical pathways associated with asthma, such as the RhoA, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), and protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathways. Mounting evidence suggests that ezrin plays a role in controlling airway cell function and potentially contributes to respiratory diseases. Ezrin can participate in asthma pathogenesis by affecting bronchial epithelium repair, T lymphocyte regulation, and the contraction of the airway smooth muscle cells. These studies provide new insights for the design of novel therapeutic strategies for asthma treatment.

Systems Biomedicine of Rabies Delineates the Affected Signaling Pathways

The prototypical neurotropic virus, rabies, is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family that causes lethal encephalomyelitis. Although there have been a plethora of studies investigating the etiological mechanism of the rabies virus and many precautionary methods have been implemented to avert the disease outbreak over the last century, the disease has surprisingly no definite remedy at its late stages. The psychological symptoms and the underlying etiology, as well as the rare survival rate from rabies encephalitis, has still remained a mystery. We, therefore, undertook a systems biomedicine approach to identify the network of gene products implicated in rabies. This was done by meta-analyzing whole-transcriptome microarray datasets of the CNS infected by strain CVS-11, and integrating them with interactome data using computational and statistical methods. We first determined the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each study and horizontally integrated the results at the mRNA and microRNA levels separately. A total of 61 seed genes involved in signal propagation system were obtained by means of unifying mRNA and microRNA detected integrated DEGs. We then reconstructed a refined protein–protein interaction network (PPIN) of infected cells to elucidate the rabies-implicated signal transduction network (RISN). To validate our findings, we confirmed differential expression of randomly selected genes in the network using Real-time PCR. In conclusion, the identification of seed genes and their network neighborhood within the refined PPIN can be useful for demonstrating signaling pathways including interferon circumvent, toward proliferation and survival, and neuropathological clue, explaining the intricate underlying molecular neuropathology of rabies infection and thus rendered a molecular framework for predicting potential drug targets.

Annexin V incorporated into influenza virus particles inhibits gamma interferon signaling and promotes viral replication

During the budding process, influenza A viruses (IAVs) incorporate multiple host cell membrane proteins. However, for most of them, their significance in viral morphogenesis and infectivity remains unknown. We demonstrate here that the expression of annexin V (A5) is upregulated at the cell surface upon IAV infection and that a substantial proportion of the protein is present in lipid rafts, the site of virus budding. Western blotting and immunogold analysis of highly purified IAV particles showed the presence of A5 in the virion. Significantly, gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced Stat phosphorylation and IFN-γ-induced 10-kDa protein (IP-10) production in macrophage-derived THP-1 cells was inhibited by purified IAV particles. Disruption of the IFN-γ signaling pathway was A5 dependent since downregulation of its expression or its blockage reversed the inhibition and resulted in decreased viral replication in vitro. The functional significance of these results was also observed in vivo. Thus, IAVs can subvert the IFN-γ antiviral immune response by incorporating A5 into their envelope during the budding process.

IMPORTANCE

Many enveloped viruses, including influenza A viruses, bud from the plasma membrane of their host cells and incorporate cellular surface proteins into viral particles. However, for the vast majority of these proteins, only the observation of their incorporation has been reported. We demonstrate here that the host protein annexin V is specifically incorporated into influenza virus particles during the budding process. Importantly, we showed that packaged annexin V counteracted the antiviral activity of gamma interferon in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these results showed that annexin V incorporated in the viral envelope of influenza viruses allow viral escape from immune surveillance. Understanding the role of host incorporated protein into virions may reveal how enveloped RNA viruses hijack the host cell machinery for their own purposes.

The potential role of microfilaments in host cells for infection with infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus infection

Background

Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) belongs to the genus Megalocytivirus from the family Iridoviridae. Megalocytivirus causes severe economic losses to tropical freshwater and marine culture industry in Asian countries and is devastating to the mandarin fish farm industry in China particularly.

Methods

We investigated the involvement of microfilaments in the early and late stages of ISKNV infection in MFF-1 cells by selectively perturbing their architecture using well-characterized inhibitors of actin dynamics. The effect of disruption of actin cytoskeleton on ISKNV infection was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence analysis or real-time quantitative PCR.

Results

The depolymerization of the actin filaments with cytochalasin D, cytochalasin B, or latrunculin A reduced ISKNV infection. Furthermore, depolymerization of filamentous actin by inhibitors did not inhibit binding of the virus but affected virus internalization in the early stages of infection. In addition, the depolymerization of actin filaments reduced total ISKNV production in the late stages of ISKNV.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that ISKNV required an intact actin network during infection. The findings will help us to better understand how iridoviruses exploit the cytoskeleton to facilitate their infection and subsequent disease.

A unique transcription mode of rabies virus high egg passage-Flury strain detected in infected baby hamster kidney-21 cells

The transcription mode of rabies virus high egg passage-Flury (HEP) strain was examined and compared with that of Evelyn Rokitniki Abelseth (ERA) strain by northern blot analysis using rabies virus gene-specific probes. The ERA strain was shown to exclusively produce monocistronic mRNAs in transcription. All combinations of multicistronic transcripts, including five monocistronic mRNAs, were detected in the viral RNA transcripts of HEP strain. It was concluded that the unique transcription mode is not due to the nucleotide structure of the genome RNA template, but rather to the viral RNA polymerase of HEP strain. The viral polymerase of HEP strain read through the gene junction at a high frequency. The HEP strain has been passaged many times in chick embryo and cultured cells, and has adapted to propagate well in the baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cells. Through these passages in various hosts, the HEP strain has acquired a unique transcription mode that might have an advantage in amplification of the virus.

Cytoplasmic domain of influenza B virus BM2 protein plays critical roles in production of infectious virus

Influenza B virus BM2 is a type III integral membrane protein that displays H(+) ion channel activity. Analysis of BM2 knockout mutants has suggested that this protein is a necessary component for the capture of M1-viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex at the plasma membrane and for incorporation of vRNP complex into the virion during the assembly process. BM2 comprises 109 amino acid residues and possesses a longer cytoplasmic domain than the other 3 integral membrane proteins (hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and NB). To explore whether the cytoplasmic domain of BM2 is important for infectious virus production, a series of BM2 deletion mutants lacking three to nine amino acid residues at the carboxyl terminus, BM2Delta107-109, BM2Delta104-109, and BM2Delta101-109, was generated by reverse genetics. Intracellular transport and incorporation into virions were indistinguishable between truncated BM2 proteins and wild-type BM2. The BM2Delta107-109 mutant produced levels of infectious virus similar to those of wild-type virus and displayed a spherical shape. However, the BM2Delta104-109 and BM2Delta101-109 mutants produced viruses containing dramatically reduced vRNP complex, as with BM2 knockout mutants, and formed enlarged, irregularly shaped virions. Moreover, gradient separation of membranes indicated that membrane association of M1 from mutants was greatly affected by carboxyl-terminal truncations of BM2. Studies of alanine substitution mutants further suggested that amino acid sequences in the 98-109 region are variable while those in the 86-97 region are a prerequisite for innate BM2 function. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic domain of the BM2 protein is required for firm association of the M1 protein with lipid membranes, vRNP complex incorporation into virions, and virion morphology.

Actin and Rho GTPases in herpesvirus biology

Viruses have evolved a variety of interactions with host cells to create an optimal niche for viral replication, persistence and spread. The actin cytoskeleton of the host cell and actin-regulating Rho GTPase signaling pathways can be involved in several of these interactions. This review focuses on recent findings on herpesvirus interactions with actin and Rho GTPases during viral entry, replication in the nucleus and egress. Unraveling these often fascinating interactions might also provide additional insights into sometimes poorly known aspects of actin biology (e.g. its role in the nucleus) and in the development of novel antiviral therapies.

Alpha-herpesvirus infection induces the formation of nuclear actin filaments

Herpesviruses are large double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the nuclei of infected cells. Spatial control of viral replication and assembly in the host nucleus is achieved by the establishment of nuclear compartments that serve to concentrate viral and host factors. How these compartments are established and maintained remains poorly understood. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an alpha-herpesvirus often used to study herpesvirus invasion and spread in the nervous system. Here, we report that PRV and herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of neurons results in formation of actin filaments in the nucleus. Filamentous actin is not found in the nucleus of uninfected cells. Nuclear actin filaments appear physically associated with the viral capsids, as shown by serial block-face scanning electron micropscopy and confocal microscopy. Using a green fluorescent protein-tagged viral capsid protein (VP26), we show that nuclear actin filaments form prior to capsid assembly and are required for the efficient formation of viral capsid assembly sites. We find that actin polymerization dynamics (e.g., treadmilling) are not necessary for the formation of these sites. Green fluorescent protein-VP26 foci co-localize with the actin motor myosin V, suggesting that viral capsids travel along nuclear actin filaments using myosin-based directed transport. Viral transcription, but not viral DNA replication, is required for actin filament formation. The finding that infection, by either PRV or herpes simplex virus type 1, results in formation of nuclear actin filaments in neurons, and that PRV infection of an epithelial cell line results in a similar phenotype is evidence that F-actin plays a conserved role in herpesvirus assembly. Our results suggest a mechanism by which assembly domains are organized within infected cells and provide insight into how the viral infectious cycle and host actin cytoskeleton are integrated to promote the infection process.

Regulation of subcellular organization and transport is essential for control of crucial biological processes. However, our knowledge often is hampered because these processes tend to be transient and difficult to study. Studies of how opportunistic microbes hijack cellular machinery have provided insights into various normal cell processes. For example, studies with intracellular microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella spp., Rickettsia spp., and vaccinia virus, have significantly increased our understanding of the dynamic nature of the actin cytoskeleton. However, much less is known about subcellular organization and transport of cargo in the nucleus. The authors have discovered that alpha-herpesvirus infection of neurons leads to the transient formation of actin filaments in the nucleus. These filaments do not fill the nucleus, but rather associate with newly formed viral capsids. The nuclear actin filaments were initially identified in peripheral nervous system tissue using a new imaging technology, serial section scanning electron microscopy pioneered by Winfried Denk (a co-author). Their results suggest that nuclear actin filaments form as part of a general stress response to infection, but then are co-opted, perhaps to direct capsid transport to sites of budding along the nuclear envelope. This work illuminates a less well understood part of the viral life cycle and sets the stage for future work investigating control of how cargo is organized and moved in the nucleus.

Budding of Marburgvirus is associated with filopodia

Viruses exploit the cytoskeleton of host cells to transport their components and spread to neighbouring cells. Here we show that the actin cytoskeleton is involved in the release of Marburgvirus (MARV) particles. We found that peripherally located nucleocapsids and envelope precursors of MARV are located either at the tip or at the side of filopodial actin bundles. Importantly, viral budding was almost exclusively detected at filopodia. Inhibiting actin polymerization in MARV-infected cells significantly diminished the amount of viral particles released into the medium. This suggested that dynamic polymerization of actin in filopodia is essential for efficient release of MARV. The viral matrix protein VP40 plays a key role in the release of MARV particles and we found that the intracellular localization of recombinant VP40 and its release in form of virus-like particles were strongly influenced by overexpression or inhibition of myosin 10 and Cdc42, proteins important in filopodia formation and function. We suggest that VP40, which is capable of interacting with viral nucleocapsids, provides an interface of MARV subviral particles and filopodia. As filopodia are in close contact with neighbouring cells, usurpation of these structures may facilitate spread of MARV to adjacent cells.

Cell surface-expressed moesin-like HDL/apoA-I binding protein promotes cholesterol efflux from human macrophages

HDL and its major component, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), play a central role in reverse cholesterol transport. We recently reported the involvement of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor (GPI anchor) in the binding of HDL and apoA-I on human macrophages, and purified an 80 kDa HDL/apoA-I binding protein. In the present study, we characterized the GPI-anchored HDL/apoA-I binding protein from macrophages. The HDL/apoA-I binding protein was purified from macrophages and digested with endopeptidase, and the resultant fragments were sequenced. Cholesterol efflux, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to characterize the HDL/apoA-I binding protein. Two parts of seven amino acid sequences completely matched those of moesin. Flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry using anti-moesin antibody showed that the HDL/apoA-I binding protein was N-glycosylated and expressed on the cell surface. It was termed moesin-like protein. Treatment of macrophages with anti-moesin antibody blocked the binding of HDL/apoA-I and suppressed cholesterol efflux. The moesin-like protein was exclusively expressed on macrophages and was upregulated by cholesterol loading and cell differentiation. Our results indicate that the moesin-like HDL/apoA-I binding protein is specifically expressed on the surface of human macrophages and promotes cholesterol efflux from macrophages.-Matsuyama, A, N. Sakai, H. Hiraoka, K-i. Hirano, and S. Yamashita. Cell surface-expressed moesin-like HDL/apoA-I binding protein promotes cholesterol efflux from human macrophages.

Actin is a component of the compensation mechanism in pseudorabies virus virions lacking the major tegument protein VP22

Despite being a major component of the pseudorabies virus tegument, VP22 is not required for PRV replication, virulence, or neuroinvasion (T. del Rio, H. C. Werner, and L. W. Enquist, J. Virol. 76:774-782, 2002). In the absence of VP22, tegument assembly compensates in a limited fashion with increased incorporation of cellular actin. Infection of epithelial cell lines expressing fluorescent actin fusion proteins resulted in the incorporation of filamentous and nonfilamentous actin into individual virions that were predominately light, noninfectious particles. We conclude that cellular actin is incorporated in the tegument of wild-type virions and is part of a compensation mechanism for VP22-null virions.

Genetic comparison of the rhabdoviruses from animals and plants

There are more than 160 viral species in the Rhabdovidae family, most of which can be grouped into one of the six genera including Vesiculovirus, Lyssavirus, Ephemerovirus, Novirhabdovirus, Cytorhabdovirus, and Nucleorhabdovirus. These viruses are not only morphologically similar but also genetically related. Analysis of viral genes shows that rhabdoviruses are more closely related to each other than to viruses in other families. With the development of reverse genetics, the functions of many cis- and trans-elements important in the process of viral transcription and replication have been clearly defined such as the leader, trailer, and the intergenic sequences. Furthermore, it has been shown that there are two entry sites for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: 3' entry for leader synthesis and RNA replication, and direct entry at the N gene start sequence for transcription of the monocistronic mRNAs.

Rhabdovirus assembly and budding

Rhabdoviruses are a diverse, widely-distributed group of enveloped viruses that assemble and bud from the plasma membrane of host cells. Recent advances in the identification of domains on both the envelope glycoprotein and the matrix protein of rhabdoviruses that contribute to virus assembly and release have allowed us to refine current models of rhabdovirus budding and to describe in better detail the interplay between both viral and cellular components involved in the budding process. In this review we discuss the steps involved in rhabdovirus assembly beginning with genome encapsidation and the association of nucleocapsid-matrix protein pre-assembly complexes with the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, how condensation of these complexes may occur, how microdomains containing the envelope glycoprotein facilitate bud site formation, and how multiple forms of the matrix protein may participate in virion extrusion and release.

Assembly and budding of influenza virus

Influenza viruses are causative agents of an acute febrile respiratory disease called influenza (commonly known as "flu") and belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family. These viruses possess segmented, negative stranded RNA genomes (vRNA) and are enveloped, usually spherical and bud from the plasma membrane (more specifically, the apical plasma membrane of polarized epithelial cells). Complete virus particles, therefore, are not found inside infected cells. Virus particles consist of three major subviral components, namely the viral envelope, matrix protein (M1), and core (viral ribonucleocapsid [vRNP]). The viral envelope surrounding the vRNP consists of a lipid bilayer containing spikes composed of viral glycoproteins (HA, NA, and M2) on the outer side and M1 on the inner side. Viral lipids, derived from the host plasma membrane, are selectively enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. M1 forms the bridge between the viral envelope and the core. The viral core consists of helical vRNP containing vRNA (minus strand) and NP along with minor amounts of NEP and polymerase complex (PA, PB1, and PB2). For viral morphogenesis to occur, all three viral components, namely the viral envelope (containing lipids and transmembrane proteins), M1, and the vRNP must be brought to the assembly site, i.e. the apical plasma membrane in polarized epithelial cells. Finally, buds must be formed at the assembly site and virus particles released with the closure of buds. Transmembrane viral proteins are transported to the assembly site on the plasma membrane via the exocytic pathway. Both HA and NA possess apical sorting signals and use lipid rafts for cell surface transport and apical sorting. These lipid rafts are enriched in cholesterol, glycosphingolipids and are relatively resistant to neutral detergent extraction at low temperature. M1 is synthesized on free cytosolic polyribosomes. vRNPs are made inside the host nucleus and are exported into the cytoplasm through the nuclear pore with the help of M1 and NEP. How M1 and vRNPs are directed to the assembly site on the plasma membrane remains unclear. The likely possibilities are that they use a piggy-back mechanism on viral glycoproteins or cytoskeletal elements. Alternatively, they may possess apical determinants or diffuse to the assembly site, or a combination of these pathways. Interactions of M1 with M1, M1 with vRNP, and M1 with HA and NA facilitate concentration of viral components and exclusion of host proteins from the budding site. M1 interacts with the cytoplasmic tail (CT) and transmembrane domain (TMD) of glycoproteins, and thereby functions as a bridge between the viral envelope and vRNP. Lipid rafts function as microdomains for concentrating viral glycoproteins and may serve as a platform for virus budding. Virus bud formation requires membrane bending at the budding site. A combination of factors including concentration of and interaction among viral components, increased viscosity and asymmetry of the lipid bilayer of the lipid raft as well as pulling and pushing forces of viral and host components are likely to cause outward curvature of the plasma membrane at the assembly site leading to bud formation. Eventually, virus release requires completion of the bud due to fusion of the apposing membranes, leading to the closure of the bud, separation of the virus particle from the host plasma membrane and release of the virus particle into the extracellular environment. Among the viral components, M1 contains an L domain motif and plays a critical role in budding. Bud completion requires not only viral components but also host components. However, how host components facilitate bud completion remains unclear. In addition to bud completion, influenza virus requires NA to release virus particles from sialic acid residues on the cell surface and spread from cell to cell. Elucidation of both viral and host factors involved in viral morphogenesis and budding may lead to the development of drugs interfering with the steps of viral morphogenesis and in disease progression.

Role for moesin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated signal transduction

Moesin is a 78-kDa protein with diverse functions in linking the cytoskeleton to the membrane while controlling cell shape, adhesion, locomotion, and signaling. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression and localization of moesin in mononuclear phagocytes by using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting and to analyze the function of moesin as a lipopolysaccharide receptor, utilizing an antisense oligonucleotide approach to knock down the moesin gene. Results revealed that moesin is expressed on the surface of monocytes/macrophages and surface expression is increased after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The total protein mass of moesin is increased in monocytes after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Immunoprecipitation showed that moesin coprecipitates with TLR4, a well-known lipopolysaccharide receptor, suggesting an early role of moesin in the formation of the initiation complex for lipopolysaccharide signaling. Two antisense and two control sense oligonucleotides were synthesized and introduced every 4 h for 48 h in adherent macrophage-like cells. Cells were then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 4 h, and the supernatants were assayed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production. Cell lysates were assayed for moesin expression by Western blotting immediately after the 48-h treatment period and also after 116 h of recovery to assess the return of moesin expression and function. Moesin gene expression was completely suppressed after 48 h of incubation with antisense oligonucleotides. The antisense elimination of moesin gene expression led to a significant reduction of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha secretion. Restoration of moesin gene expression led to restoration of TNF-alpha production. These data suggest an important role for moesin in lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha production, highlighting its importance in lipopolysaccharide-mediated signal transduction.

Further characterization of a CD99-related 21-kDa transmembrane protein (VAP21) expressed in Syrian hamster cells and its possible involvement in vesicular stomatitis virus production

The VAP21, a CD99-related 21-kDa transmembrane protein, was first detected in the enveloped virions that were grown in a Syrian hamster-derived cell line, BHK-21 (Sagara et al., 1997; Yamamoto et al., 1999). We further tried to elucidate the nature and properties of VAP21. The VAP21 was detected in various organs of the Syrian hamster as well as in the Syrian hamster-derived cell lines (BHK-21 and HmLu-1). We could not detect the VAP21 antigen in other cell lines derived from other animal species we examined, including a Chinese hamster (CHO-K1), mouse (neuroblastoma C1300, clone NA), dog (MDCK), monkey (COS-7), and human (HeLa, HepG2). We tried to introduce the VAP21 gene into VAP21-negative cell lines using a tetracycline-regulated gene expression system. All of our trials, however, resulted in failure to establish stably positive inducible cell lines. To the contrary, we could easily establish the VAP21-overexpressing cell lines from the Syrian hamster cell lines, which were successfully grown and maintained without any loss of VAP21 expression even under the induced culture conditions. In such VAP21-overexpressing cells, production of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was increased several-fold, while suppression of the VAP21 expression resulted in reducing the VSV yields. From these results, we conclude that the VAP21 is a physiologically active cell membrane component of some animal species including the Syrian hamster, and might positively be involved in the VSV replication.

Proteomic and biochemical analyses of human B cell-derived exosomes. Potential implications for their function and multivesicular body formation

Exosomes are 60-100-nm membrane vesicles that are secreted into the extracellular milieu as a consequence of multivesicular body fusion with the plasma membrane. Here we determined the protein and lipid compositions of highly purified human B cell-derived exosomes. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated the abundant presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II, heat shock cognate 70, heat shock protein 90, integrin alpha 4, CD45, moesin, tubulin (alpha and beta), actin, G(i)alpha(2), and a multitude of other proteins. An alpha 4-integrin may direct B cell-derived exosomes to follicular dendritic cells, which were described previously as potential target cells. Clathrin, heat shock cognate 70, and heat shock protein 90 may be involved in protein sorting at multivesicular bodies. Exosomes were also enriched in cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and ganglioside GM3, lipids that are typically enriched in detergent-resistant membranes. Most exosome-associated proteins, including MHC class II and tetraspanins, were insoluble in 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS)-containing buffers. Multivesicular body-linked MHC class II was also resistant to CHAPS whereas plasma membrane-associated MHC class II was solubilized readily. Together, these data suggest that recruitment of membrane proteins from the limiting membranes into the internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies may involve their incorporation into tetraspanin-containing detergent-resistant membrane domains.

Role of plasma membrane lipid microdomains in respiratory syncytial virus filament formation

The fusion protein (F) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the envelope glycoprotein responsible for the characteristic cytopathology of syncytium formation. RSV has been shown to bud from selective areas of the plasma membrane as pleomorphic virions, including both filamentous and round particles. With immunofluorescent microscopy, we demonstrated evidence of RSV filaments incorporating the fusion protein F and colocalizing with a lipid microdomain-specific fluorescent dye, 1,1-dihexadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate. Western blot analysis of Triton X-100 cold-extracted membrane fractions confirmed the presence of RSV proteins within the lipid microdomains. RSV proteins also colocalized with cellular proteins associated with lipid microdomains, caveolin-1, and CD44, as well as with RhoA, a small GTPase. ADP-ribosylation of RhoA by Clostridium botulinum exotoxin inactivated RhoA signaling and resulted in the absence of RSV-induced syncytia despite no significant change in viral titer. We demonstrated an overall decrease in both the number and length of the viral filaments and a shift in the localization of F to nonlipid microdomain regions of the membrane in the presence of C3 toxin. This suggests that the selective incorporation of RSV proteins into lipid microdomains during virus assembly may lead to critical interactions of F with cellular proteins, resulting in microvillus projections necessary for the formation of filamentous virus particles and syncytium formation. Thus, manipulation of membrane lipid microdomains may lead to alterations in the production of viral filaments and RSV pathogenesis and provide a new pharmacologic target for RSV therapy.

The rabies virion-associated 100-kDa polypeptide (VAP100) is a host-derived minor component of the viral envelope

We investigated a minor polypeptide component of 100-kDa detected in the rabies virion (referred to as VAP100) by using a monoclonal antibody (mAb), #16743, which was shown to recognize the SDS-denatured VAP100 antigen by immunoblot analyses. Although the VAP100 antigen was hardly detectable in the cell by usual immunoblot methods with this mAb, we could detect the antigen by a luminescent immunoblot method as well as by immunoprecipitation from the metabolically radiolabeled cell lysates and virions. Fluorescent antibody (FA) staining with mAb #16743 detected the uniformly distributed antigen on the formalin-fixed normal BHK-21 cells, while slight accumulation of the antigen was also seen in the Golgi area when the cells were permeabilized by treatment with Triton X-100 after fixation. Rabies virus infection induced alteration of the behavior of VAP100 to show a spotted distribution pattern in virus-infected cells. Double FA staining with mAb #16743 and rabbit antibody against the rabies virus envelope antigen demonstrated colocalized distribution of the viral envelope antigens and VAP100 in the cell. From these results, we think that VAP100 is a membrane-associated component of the cell, and its colocalized distribution with the viral envelope antigens in the cell implicates an intimate association of the VAP100 with viral envelope protein(s) and a reflection of possible involvement in the efficient incorporation of VAP100 into the virion.

Cell surface-expressed moesin-like receptor regulates T cell interactions with tissue components and binds an adhesion-modulating IL-2 peptide generated by elastase

The adhesion of leukocytes to the extracellular matrix (ECM) depends on their responses to variations in the chemotactic signals in their milieu, as well as on the functioning of cytoskeletal and context-specific receptors. Ezrin, radixin, and moesin constitute a family of proteins that link the plasma membrane to the actin cytoskeleton. The surface expression of moesin on T cells and its role in cell adhesion has not been fully elucidated. Recently, we found that IL-2 peptides generated by elastase modified the adhesion of activated T cells to ECM ligands. Here, we further examined the adhesion regulatory effects of EFLNRWIT, one of the IL-2 peptides, as well as the existence and putative function of its receptor on T cells. We found that when presented to T cells in the absence of another activator, the EFLNRWIT peptide induced cell adhesion to vessel wall and ECM components. Binding of a radiolabeled peptide to T cells, precipitation with the immobilized peptide, and amino acid sequencing of the precipitated protein revealed that EFLNRWIT exerts its function via a cell surface-expressed moesin-like moiety, whose constitutive expression on T cells was increased after activation. This notion was further supported by our findings that: 1) anti-moesin mAb inhibited the binding of T cells to the immobilized EFLNRWIT peptide, 2) immobilized recombinant moesin bound the IL-2 peptide, and 3) soluble moesin inhibited the EFLNRWIT-induced T cell adhesion to fibronectin. Interestingly, moesin appears to be generally involved in T cell responses to adhesion-regulating signals. Thus, the IL-2 peptide EFLNRWIT appears to exert its modulating capacities via an adhesion-regulating moesin-like receptor.

Interaction of the rabies virus P protein with the LC8 dynein light chain

The rabies virus P protein is involved in viral transcription and replication but its precise function is not clear. We investigated the role of P (CVS strain) by searching for cellular partners by using a two-hybrid screening of a PC12 cDNA library. We isolated a cDNA encoding a 10-kDa dynein light chain (LC8). LC8 is a component of cytoplasmic dynein involved in the minus end-directed movement of organelles along microtubules. We confirmed that this molecule interacts with P by coimmunoprecipitation in infected cells and in cells transfected with a plasmid encoding P protein. LC8 was also detected in virus particles. Series of deletions from the N- and C-terminal ends of P protein were used to map the LC8-binding domain to the central part of P (residues 138 to 172). These results are relevant to speculate that dynein may be involved in the axonal transport of rabies virus along microtubules through neuron cells.

The E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 interacts with F-actin in vitro and in vivo

We report here that E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) forms a complex in vivo and in vitro with actin, one of the components of the cellular cytoskeleton. The in vivo interaction was detected by immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopic examination of normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOK) and CV-1 cells after transient expression of E7 employing the vaccinia virus-T7 RNA polymerase system and by coimmunoprecipitation from an immortalized, nontumorigenic cell line obtained after transfecting NHOK with the cloned HPV-16 DNA genome. The in vitro interaction was detected by cosedimentation of bacterially expressed E7 phosphorylated with rabbit reticulocyte lysate or purified casein kinase II (CKII) prior to incubation with F-actin. This interaction was inhibited if E7 phosphorylation by the rabbit reticulocyte lysate was prevented with heparin, a CKII inhibitor, or if the amino acids Ser-31 and Ser-32 in E7, which are phosphorylated by CKII, were replaced with amino acids that cannot be phosphorylated. Interestingly, a decrease in the amount of polymerized actin occurred in cells expressing E7.

Fish rhabdovirus cell entry is mediated by fibronectin

Three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated against rainbow trout gonad cells (RTG-2) have been selected for their ability to protect cells from the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infection, a salmonid rhabdovirus. Protection from infection was restricted to the salmonid-derived cell lines indicating species specificity of the blocking MAbs. Surprisingly, the blocking activity of these MAbs was also effective against other nonantigenically related fish rhabdoviruses. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy observations demonstrated that the three MAbs were all directed against an abundant cell plasma membrane component, and immunoprecipitation studies indicated that the target consisted of a heterodimeric complex with molecular masses of 200 and 44 kDa. Biochemical data provided the following evidence that fibronectin is part of this complex and that it could represent the main receptor for fish rhabdoviruses. (i) An antiserum generated against the 200-kDa protein reacted against the recombinant rainbow trout fibronectin expressed in Escherichia coli. (ii) The purified rainbow trout fibronectin was able to bind specifically to VHSV. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a cellular component acting as a primary receptor for a virus replicating in lower vertebrates and, more interestingly, for viruses belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family.

Association of a cellular 21-kDa transmembrane protein (VAP21) with enveloped viruses

We reported previously that the rabies virions contained a 21-kDa cellular transmembrane protein (referred to as VAP21) as a minor component (Sagara, J. et al, Microbiol. Immunol. 41(12): 947-955, 1997). In this study, we further examined the possible interactions of VAP21 with other enveloped viruses, including the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV; negative-stranded RNA virus), Sindbis virus (positive-stranded RNA virus) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1; double-stranded DNA virus). An immunoblot analysis demonstrated that all of these enveloped viruses contained VAP21 in the virion as a minor component. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested that VAP21 was associated with certain viral proteins in the cell, such as the matrix (M) protein of VSV, a capsid protein of Sindbis virus, and at least a capsid protein (VP5) of HSV-1. The association was disrupted by treatment with 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate, but resistant to the treatment with 1% NP-40 plus 1% deoxycholate. These results suggest that: 1) VAP21 is not primarily associated with the viral transmembrane glycoprotein but rather with the internal viral protein, and, 2) this association would cause the efficient incorporation of VAP21 into the virion.

Localization of actin in Moloney murine leukemia virus by immunoelectron microscopy

Immunoelectron microscopy was used to detect actin in wild-type (wt) Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV) and in virus-like particles (VLP) produced by recombinant Semliki Forest virus expressing only the MoMuLV gag polyprotein. Gold immunolabeling revealed the presence of actin on the surface of delipidized VLP and delipidized wt virus particles. Statistical evaluation of the number of colloidal gold particles per VLP revealed a large range of values and a prevalence of VLP with small numbers of gold particles. Labeling for actin was lost after prolonged treatment of VLP with 1% Nonidet-P40, high-pH buffer, or gelsolin. Gold immunolabeling with antibodies to gag proteins p15 (MA) and p12 and p30 (CA) was abundant and was not affected by treatment of VLP or wt virus with 1% Nonidet or gelsolin. VLP treated with a mixture of detergent and aldehyde fixatives showed more uniform and consistent labeling for actin than without fixatives. Negative staining or heavy metal shadowing revealed a globular surface of delipidized VLP. Stereomicrographs of gold-immunolabeled VLP showed that p15gag and p12gag were associated with the globular projections. Delipidized VLP were also well labeled with antibody to p30gag, which indicated that the gag shell permitted access of antibodies to p30gag and was therefore not a closely packed structure. Labeling for actin-binding proteins moesin and ezrin was negative in both the wt virus and the VLP. The absence of Gaussian distribution of actin in the sample of VLP suggests that actin is not a structural protein and its presence in MuLV virus particles may be fortuitous. This, however, does not rule out any possible role of actin in transport, assembly, budding, or release of virus particles, events which take place in the cytoplasm or at the plasma membrane. The site of actin in VLP is discussed in relation to the present knowledge of the molecular organization of the MuLV gag shell.

Intracellular behavior of rabies virus matrix protein (M) is determined by the viral glycoprotein (G)

To investigate the nature and intracellular behavior of the matrix (M) protein of an avirulent strain (HEP-Flury) of rabies virus, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA of the protein. Using expression vectors pZIP-NeoSV(X)1 and pCDM8, the cDNA was transfected to animal cells (BHK-21 and COS-7) with or without coexpression of viral glycoprotein (G). When M protein alone was expressed in the cells, it displayed homogeneous distribution in the whole cell including the nucleus. In contrast, coexpression with G protein resulted in the abolishment of nuclear distribution of M antigen, and both of the antigens displayed a colocalized distribution in the cell, especially at the cellular membrane as seen in the virus-infected cells, while the distribution of G antigen was not affected by coexpressed M antigen. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that M protein was coprecipitated with G protein by anti-G antibody, and vice versa, although cross-linking with dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) was necessary for coprecipitation because of their easier dissociation in the presence of sodium deoxycholate. These results suggest that M protein intimately associates with G protein, which may affect or regulate the behavior (e.g., intracellular localization) of M protein. Studies with deletion mutants of M protein indicate that an internal region around the amino acids from 115 to 151 is essential for the M protein to preserve its binding ability to G protein.

Animal virus receptors

The term 'receptor' is generally accepted as the cell-surface component that participates in virus binding and facilitates subsequent viral infection. Recent advances in technology have permitted the identification of several virus receptors, increasing our understanding of the significance of this initial virus-cell and virus-host interaction. Virus binding was previously considered to involve simple recognition and attachment to a single cell surface molecule by virus attachment proteins. The classical concept of these as single entities that participate in a lock-and-key-type process has been superseded by new data indicating that binding can be a multistep process, often involving different virus-attachment proteins and more than one host-cell receptor.

Role of cellular actin in the gene expression and morphogenesis of human respiratory syncytial virus

Cytoskeletal protein actin and nonactin cellular proteins were essential for human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) gene expression. In vitro, specific antibodies against actin inhibited RSV transcription, whereas antibodies against other cytoskeletal proteins had little or no effect. Affinity purified cellular actin or bacterially expressed recombinant actin activated RSV transcription. However, optimal transcription required additional cellular protein(s) that appeared to function as accessory factor(s) for actin. In the absence of actin, these proteins did not activate viral transcription. Purified viral nucleocapsids contained actin, but no cytokeratin, tubulin, or vimentin. Cytochalasin D or DNasel--agents that destabilize actin polymers--had little effect on RSV transcription. RSV infection itself seemed to alter the structure of the cellular actin filaments. Treatment of infected cells with cytochalasin D produced a more severe disruption of the filaments and drastically reduced the production of infectious virus particles but still had little effect on intracellular synthesis of viral macromolecules. Thus actin seems to serve a dual role in RSV life cycle: its monomeric form as well as polymeric form activate viral transcription, while only the microfilament form may take part in viral morphogenesis and/or budding.

Studies on rabies virus RNA polymerase: 1. cDNA cloning of the catalytic subunit (L protein) of avirulent HEP-flury strain and its expression in animal cells

To investigate the RNA polymerase of rabies virus, we cloned a cDNA of the catalytic subunit (called L protein because of its large molecular size) of the HEP-Flury strain, an avirulent strain obtained by high frequencies of serial embryonated hen egg passages. Nucleotide sequencing showed that the cDNA encodes a long polypeptide of 2,127 amino acids (Mr. 242,938). A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with that of other strains (PV and SAD B19) indicated that the sequence was highly conserved, except for several amino acid substitutions which were accumulated in some limited regions. A fragment of the cDNA was used for expression in Escherichia coli (E. coli) to prepare the L antigen for raising the antibodies in rabbits. Immunoprecipitation studies with the rabbit antiserum showed that the polypeptides produced in the L cDNA-transfected COS-7 cells displayed almost the same electrophoretic mobility as that of authentic L protein. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that both L and P (another subunit of RNA polymerase) proteins displayed colocalized distribution with the nucleocapsid antigen (N) in the cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, where envelope proteins (G and M) were absent. On the other hand, expression of the L protein alone did not cause inclusion body-like granular distribution, suggesting that the inclusion body-like accumulation depends on certain interaction(s) with other viral gene products, probably with the ribonucleoproteins comprising the inclusion bodies.

The 21-kDa polypeptide (VAP21) in the rabies virion is a CD99-related host cell protein

In our monoclonal antibody (MAb) stocks prepared against the BHK-21 cell antigens, two (#11875 and 28276) recognized a 21-kDa polypeptide (referred to as VAP21) which is efficiently incorporated into the rabies virion. By using these MAbs, we isolated the cDNA clones that encoded a polypeptide of 144 amino acids from our BHK-21 cell cDNA library. Based on the following evidence, the cDNA was assumed to encode a full-length sequence of VAP21 antigen: i) expression of the cDNA in animal cells resulted in the production of a polypeptide recognized by the two MAbs, and its electrophoretic mobility was the same as that of authentic VAP21 antigen; and ii) immunization with the products from the cDNA-transformed E. coli cells raised specific antibodies in rabbits that recognized a 21-kDa polypeptide in the virion. From the deduced amino acid sequence, it is suggested that the VAP21 antigen has a molecular structure of type-I transmembrane protein containing characteristic proline-rich and glycine-rich regions in its ectodomain. Homology searches resulted in finding homologous sequences (totally about 40% homology) in the human MIC2 gene product (CD99; 32-kDa) of T lymphocytes. These results suggest that the VAP21 antigen in the rabies virion is a cellular CD99-related transmembrane protein.

Host cell dependence of viral morphology

The morphology of influenza virions was found to depend on cellular determinants. Influenza viral filaments up to 30 microm in length were observed to form at high levels on surfaces of various polarized epithelial cell types infected with the A/Udorn/72 virus. In contrast, virions produced by nonpolarized cell types infected with this virus were almost exclusively of spherical morphology. Disruption of the actin microfilament array by cytochalasin D treatment of polarized MDCK cells had a profound effect on viral morphology. Although virus titers and release of spherical particles were not reduced in the presence of cytochalasin D, we observed a 15-fold reduction in the release of filamentous particles. In contrast, the ratio of filaments to spheres produced by infected MDCK cells was not altered by the microtubule-disrupting agent nocodazole. These observations indicate that the polarized cell phenotype and the integrity of the actin microfilament network are important cellular determinants of the morphology of a filamentous influenza virus.

Immunological studies of a 21 kDa cellular component efficiently incorporated into rabies virion grown in a BHK-21 cell culture

To investigate cellular components incorporated into the rabies virion, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were screened based on their reactivity with additional virion components. Two of the MAbs we prepared recognized a virion-associated 21 kDa polypeptide (referred to as VAP21) from a BHK-21 cell. Since the MAbs precipitated the rabies virion and trypsin digestion eliminated the VAP21 antigen from the virion but alkaline treatment (pH 11) did not, VAP21 seems to be anchored into the viral envelope and exposed on the virion surface. Although quantitative immunoblot analyses indicated an apparently increased concentration of VAP21 in the virion, the ratio of the content of VAP21 to that of viral glycoprotein (G) was several times decreased as compared to the ratio of those in the cell. These data suggest that sorting of VAP21 occurs during the viral budding process on the cell but that it might be inefficient, probably due to a more intimate association of VAP21 with the viral envelope proteins. This assumption seems to be consistent with the results of immunofluorescence studies; that is, VAP21 displayed colocalized distribution with viral envelope antigens in the cell. From these results, it is suggested that VAP21 closely associates with the viral envelope proteins in the cell, and this association might cause passive but relatively efficient incorporation of VAP21 into the virion.

Moesin interacts with the cytoplasmic region of intercellular adhesion molecule-3 and is redistributed to the uropod of T lymphocytes during cell polarization

During activation, T lymphocytes become motile cells, switching from a spherical to a polarized shape. Chemokines and other chemotactic cytokines induce lymphocyte polarization with the formation of a uropod in the rear pole, where the adhesion receptors intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-3, and CD44 redistribute. We have investigated membrane-cytoskeleton interactions that play a key role in the redistribution of adhesion receptors to the uropod. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the ERM proteins radixin and moesin localized to the uropod of human T lymphoblasts treated with the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted), a polarization-inducing agent; radixin colocalized with arrays of myosin II at the neck of the uropods, whereas moesin decorated the most distal part of the uropod and colocalized with ICAM-1, ICAM-3, and CD44 molecules. Two other cytoskeletal proteins, beta-actin and alpha-tubulin, clustered at the cell leading edge and uropod, respectively, of polarized lymphocytes. Biochemical analysis showed that moesin coimmunoprecipitates with ICAM-3 in T lymphoblasts stimulated with either RANTES or the polarization- inducing anti-ICAM-3 HP2/19 mAb, as well as in the constitutively polarized T cell line HSB-2. In addition, moesin is associated with CD44, but not with ICAM-1, in polarized T lymphocytes. A correlation between the degree of moesin-ICAM-3 interaction and cell polarization was found as determined by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation analysis done in parallel. The moesin-ICAM-3 interaction was specifically mediated by the cytoplasmic domain of ICAM-3 as revealed by precipitation of moesin with a GST fusion protein containing the ICAM-3 cytoplasmic tail from metabolically labeled Jurkat T cell lysates. The interaction of moesin with ICAM-3 was greatly diminished when RANTES-stimulated T lymphoblasts were pretreated with the myosin-disrupting drug butanedione monoxime, which prevents lymphocyte polarization. Altogether, these data indicate that moesin interacts with ICAM-3 and CD44 adhesion molecules in uropods of polarized T cells; these data also suggest that these interactions participate in the formation of links between membrane receptors and the cytoskeleton, thereby regulating morphological changes during cell locomotion.

Specific binding of HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 to the structural membrane proteins ezrin and moesin

The observation that HIV in vitro can infect CD4- and Gal-C-negative brain cell lines has stimulated this study to identify alternative gp120-binding proteins on brain cells. HIV-1 gp120 binding proteins of the CD4-negative and Gal-C-negative, non-productively infectable human glioblastoma cell line D54 were purified by affinity chromatography over a gp120-conjugated sepharose column and identified by peptide microsequencing. The binding capacity and specificity of this column was controlled using extracts of CD4-positive cells. Two of seven prominent proteins eluted from the gp120 affinity column specifically bound gp120 in Western blot overlay experiments and were identified by subsequent immunoblotting and microsequencing as ezrin and moesin, members of the ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) family of cellular structural membrane proteins. Antibodies to ezrin and moesin specifically recognized the eluted gp120 binding proteins confirming their identification. Ezrin and moesin are structural proteins binding to the cellular membrane and to several cytoskeletal and transmembrane proteins. Our results suggest that ezrin and moesin might play a role as gp160/gp120 binding proteins during the uptake, the assembly or the budding of HIV.

Viral manipulations of the actin cytoskeleton

Viruses succeed as intracellular parasites because of their ability to invade cells and appropriate the cellular machinery required during their life cycle. The actin cytoskeleton of the host cell does not escape viral infection unscathed, but is often co-opted by the virus at many different stages of its life cycle to facilitate the infection process.

Cytoskeletal proteins inside human immunodeficiency virus type 1 virions

We have identified three types of cytoskeletal proteins inside human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions by analyzing subtilisin-digested particles. HIV-1 virions were digested with protease, and the treated particles were isolated by sucrose density centrifugation. This method removes both exterior viral proteins and proteins associated with microvesicles that contaminate virion preparations. Since the proteins inside the virion are protected from digestion by the viral lipid envelope, they can be isolated and analyzed after treatment. Experiments presented here demonstrated that this procedure removed more than 95% of the protein associated with microvesicles. Proteins in digested HIV-1(MN) particles from infected H9 and CEM(ss) cell lines were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography, protein sequencing, and immunoblotting. The data revealed that three types of cytoskeletal proteins are present in virions at different concentrations relative to the molar level of Gag: actin (approximately 10 to 15%), ezrin and moesin (approximately 2%), and cofilin (approximately 2 to 10%). Our analysis of proteins within virus particles detected proteolytic fragments of alpha-smooth muscle actin and moesin that were cleaved at sites which might be recognized by HIV-1 protease. These cleavage products are not present in microvesicles from uninfected cells. Therefore, these processed proteins are most probably produced by HIV-1 protease digestion. The presence of these fragments, as well as the incorporation of a few specific cytoskeletal proteins into virions, suggests an active interaction between cytoskeletal and viral proteins.

Proteins associated with purified human cytomegalovirus particles

Virion-associated proteins isolated from purified human cytomegalovirus particles (strain AD169) were used as substrates for chemical sequence analysis. Extracellular virions, noninfectious enveloped particles, and dense bodies were purified by negative viscosity-positive density gradient centrifugation, and their component proteins were separated by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The deduced amino acid sequence of individual protein bands was used to identify six corresponding viral genes whose products have not previously been identified as virion constituents: UL47, UL25, UL88, UL85, UL26, and UL48.5. In addition, a 45-kDa cellular protein was identified, and the protein fragments sequenced have a high degree of amino acid identity with actin. However, antiactin monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies did not react with a specific protein in the virus preparations, suggesting that this 45-kDa protein is an immunologically distinct isoform of actin. The newly identified viral and cellular proteins were resistant to protease treatment of purified virions, suggesting that they are unlikely to be contaminants of the viral preparations.