Immunoelectron microscopy analysis of HCMV gpUL73 (gN) localization

Arch Virol. 2002 Jun;147(6):1247-56. doi: 10.1007/s00705-002-0810-x.

Abstract

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL73 encodes for a polymorphic structural glycoprotein, gpUL73(gN), conserved among herpesviruses. This study analyzed the intracellular and intraviral localization of gpUL73 by immunoelectron-microscopy comparing the reactivity of two different antibodies. We found that gN is an envelope component of the mature viral particle with at least a portion exposed at the virus surface and another at the internal side of the envelope. Furthermore, gpUL73 is also present in the matrix of dense bodies and "black holes". These results, as well as immunoblotting analysis, suggest that the two antibodies recognize different forms, fully processed or unprocessed, of gpUL73-gN.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Cytomegalovirus / chemistry*
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / physiology
  • Cytomegalovirus / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry*
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / virology
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / virology
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / analysis*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Virion / chemistry
  • Virion / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein N, Human cytomegalovirus