Interaction of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus BRO-A and host cell protein laminin

Arch Virol. 2003 Jan;148(1):99-113. doi: 10.1007/s00705-002-0902-7.

Abstract

The Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) contains five baculovirus repeated ORF ( bro) genes, all of which are expressed as delayed early genes. We have recently reported that BmNPV BRO proteins, specially BRO-A and BRO-C, contain a nucleic acid binding activity and are involved in nucleosome structures in nuclei of infected cells. To further understand the function of bro-a gene, we looked for factors interacting with BmNPV BRO-A using the yeast two-hybrid system. Fifteen clones obtained from a cDNA library of mock-infected cells and one from a library prepared at 2 h postinfection (p.i.) were found to comprise one distinct gene, which was identified as the Bombyx homolog (bLaminin) of Drosophila laminin beta1. A direct interaction between BRO-A and N-terminal region of bLaminin was demonstrated by in vitro pull-down experiments. Further pull-down assays using BmN cell extracts and anti-laminin antibodies also showed interaction of both proteins. In addition, two more clones were obtained from cDNA library of 12 h p.i. and were found to encode BRO-A itself, indicating that BRO-A forms an oligomer. Taken together, we propose that BRO-A may function as a laminin binding protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Flanking Region
  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bombyx / virology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Laminin / genetics
  • Laminin / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleopolyhedroviruses / genetics
  • Nucleopolyhedroviruses / metabolism*
  • Nucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Laminin
  • Nucleoproteins