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Herpes simplex virus tegument protein VP16 is a component of primary enveloped virions

Raquel Naldinho-Souto1, Helena Browne, Tony Minson

  • 1Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK.

Journal of Virology
|February 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) tegument proteins VP13/14 and VP22 are acquired during secondary envelopment. However, VP16 is acquired before primary envelopment, differing from related viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) tegument is a protein layer essential for viral replication.
  • Understanding the temporal acquisition of tegument proteins is crucial for elucidating HSV1 assembly and pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incorporation timing of HSV1 tegument proteins VP13/14, VP22, and VP16 during virion assembly.
  • To compare HSV1 tegument protein acquisition with that of pseudorabies virus.

Main Methods:

  • Immunogold electron microscopy was employed to visualize and localize specific viral proteins within developing virions.
  • Analysis focused on virus particles at different stages of envelopment, including the perinuclear space and mature extracellular virions.

Main Results:

  • Tegument proteins VP13/14 and VP22 were not detected in primary enveloped virions in the perinuclear space.
  • VP13/14 and VP22 were only found in mature extracellular HSV1 virions.
  • VP16 was acquired by the virion prior to primary envelopment at the inner nuclear membrane.

Conclusions:

  • HSV1 tegument protein acquisition differs significantly from pseudorabies virus, where all three homologous proteins are incorporated during secondary envelopment.
  • VP16's early acquisition suggests a distinct role in early stages of HSV1 assembly or nuclear egress.
  • The differential timing of tegument protein incorporation highlights unique aspects of HSV1 virion maturation.

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