A novel virus-encoded nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein: the UL3 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1

J Virol Methods. 2011 Nov;177(2):206-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.08.004. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL3 protein is a nuclear protein. In this study, the molecular mechanism of the subcellular localization of UL3 was characterized by fluorescence microscopy in living cells. A nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a nuclear export signal (NES) were also identified. UL3 was demonstrated to target to the cytoplasm through the NES via chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM-1) dependent pathway, and to the nucleus through RanGTP-dependent mechanism. Heterokaryon assays confirmed that UL3 was capable of shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that the UL3 protein is a novel HSV-1 encoded nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytoplasm / drug effects
  • Cytoplasm / genetics
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Exportin 1 Protein
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Karyopherins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nuclear Export Signals*
  • Nuclear Localization Signals / metabolism*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Karyopherins
  • Nuclear Export Signals
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • UL3 protein, Human herpesvirus 1
  • Viral Proteins
  • leptomycin B