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Transsynaptic Tracing from Peripheral Targets with Pseudorabies Virus Followed by Cholera Toxin and Biotinylated Dextran Amines Double Labeling
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Transsynaptic Tracing from Peripheral Targets with Pseudorabies Virus Followed by Cholera Toxin and Biotinylated Dextran Amines Double Labeling

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Virion-incorporated glycoprotein B mediates transneuronal spread of pseudorabies virus

Dusica Curanovic1, Lynn W Enquist

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ 08544, USA.

Journal of Virology
|June 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) glycoprotein B (gB) is essential for transneuronal spread. Efficient incorporation of gB into virions, not cell surface expression, is required for viral transmission to postsynaptic neurons.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Transneuronal spread of pseudorabies virus (PRV) involves multiple viral proteins.
  • PRV glycoprotein B (gB) is crucial for transmitting infection to second-order neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To pinpoint the specific step mediated by gB in viral transneuronal transmission.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of PRV spread between neurons.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the role of gB in virion sorting, axonal transport, and release.
  • Assessed the necessity of gB incorporation into virions versus cell surface expression for spread.
  • Examined PRV spread through syncytial connections.

Main Results:

  • gB is not required for virion sorting into axons, anterograde transport, or axonal release.
  • Cell surface expression of gB alone is insufficient for transneuronal spread; virion incorporation is necessary.
  • PRV neuron-to-cell spread likely does not involve syncytial connections.

Conclusions:

  • PRV virions are released independently of gB at neuron-cell contact sites.
  • Virion-incorporated gB/gH/gL fusion complex mediates entry into contacted cells via membrane fusion.

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