Intercellular trafficking activity of herpes simplex virus US11 gene product in the mouse brain

Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2005 May 20;136(1-2):158-63. doi: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.02.004.

Abstract

The US11 gene product of herpes simplex virus is an RNA-binding protein with a C-terminal arginine-X-proline (RXP) repeating motif. We found that the RXP repeat mediates intercellular trafficking activity and accumulation in neuronal nuclei following in vivo transfection with the US11 gene, direct injection of the purified RXP-repeat fusion protein, or infection with herpes simplex virus. We discuss a possible therapeutic application of the US11 protein RXP repeat as a tactic against neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / virology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / virology
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / physiology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunoblotting / methods
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Space / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microinjections / methods
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / virology
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Retinoid X Receptors / chemistry
  • Retinoid X Receptors / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection / methods
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • US11 protein, herpesvirus
  • Viral Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase