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The murine gammaherpesvirus 68 ORF27 gene product contributes to intercellular viral spread

Janet S May1, Jennifer Walker, Susanna Colaco

  • 1Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, United Kingdom.

Journal of Virology
|March 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) uses the gp48 protein to spread directly between cells. This viral protein is essential for efficient lytic replication in the lungs during infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Herpesviruses typically remain cell-associated, suggesting non-virion-mediated spread.
  • Previous work identified murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) gp150's role in virion release.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MHV-68 ORF27 gene product, gp48, in viral dissemination.
  • To determine gp48's contribution to cell-to-cell spread and lytic replication.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of gp48-deficient MHV-68 viruses.
  • Characterization of viral properties including cell binding, replication, and release.
  • Monoclonal antibody analysis to detect gp48 on infected cells and virions.
  • Intranasal infection model in mice to assess in vivo replication and latency.

Main Results:

  • gp48-deficient MHV-68 showed no deficits in virion binding, replication, or release.
  • A significant reduction in direct cell-to-cell spread was observed for gp48-deficient viruses.
  • In vivo, ORF27-deficient viruses exhibited impaired lytic replication in the lungs.
  • A minor deficit in initial latency establishment was noted, with normal long-term latency.

Conclusions:

  • MHV-68 gp48 is crucial for direct cell-to-cell spread, distinct from virion release.
  • The ORF27 gene product plays a significant role in MHV-68 lytic replication, particularly in the lungs.
  • gp48 homologs in other gammaherpesviruses suggest a conserved dissemination mechanism.

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