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Direct protein transfer to terminally differentiated muscle cells
W Derer1, H P Easwaran, C W Knopf
1Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|October 30, 1999
Summary
Herpes simplex virus protein VP22 facilitates direct protein transfer between mammalian cells. This study demonstrates VP22 fusion protein spreading into terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 protein VP22 exhibits intercellular trafficking properties.
- VP22 fusion proteins can transfer between cells independently of cell contact.
- Previous studies on VP22 spreading were limited to proliferating cells and faced controversy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a GFP-VP22 fusion protein for studying intercellular transfer.
- To investigate the ability of GFP-VP22 to spread in mammalian cells.
- To determine if VP22 can facilitate protein transfer into terminally differentiated cells.
Main Methods:
- Generation of a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-VP22 fusion protein.
- Transient transfection of COS-7 cells with the GFP-VP22 construct.
- Coculture experiments involving transfected COS-7 cells and C2C12 myotubes.
Main Results:
- The GFP-VP22 fusion protein successfully spread within COS-7 cells after transient transfection.
- Demonstrated intercellular transfer of GFP-VP22 from transfected COS-7 cells to C2C12 myotubes.
- Confirmed spreading into terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells.
Conclusions:
- VP22 fusion proteins can mediate direct protein transfer into terminally differentiated cells.
- VP22 exhibits therapeutic potential for protein delivery beyond proliferating cell populations.
- This finding broadens the application scope of VP22-mediated protein transfer strategies.