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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Temporal Analysis of the Nuclear-to-cytoplasmic Translocation of a Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Protein by Immunofluorescent Confocal Microscopy
Published on: November 4, 2018
Human herpesvirus 6 glycoprotein M is essential for virus growth and requires glycoprotein N for its maturation
Akiko Kawabata1, Chyntia Jasirwan, Koichi Yamanishi
1Division of Clinical Virology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan.
Abstract:
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a T-lymphotropic virus belonging to the betaherpesvirus family. Several HHV-6-encoded glycoproteins are required for cell entry and virion maturation. Glycoprotein M (gM) is conserved among all herpesviruses, and therefore thought to have important functions; however, the HHV-6 g has not been characterized. Here, we examined the expression of HHV-6 g, and examined its function in viral replication, using a mutant and revertant gM. HHV-6 g was expressed on virions as a glycoprotein modified with complex N-linked oligosaccharides. As in other herpesviruses, HHV-6 g formed a complex with glycoprotein N (gN), and was transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi network only when part of this complex. Finally, a gM mutant virus in which the gM start codon was destroyed was not reconstituted, although its revertant was, indicating that HHV-6 g is essential for virus production, unlike the gM of alphaherpesviruses.
Insights
Human herpesvirus 6 glycoprotein M (gM) is essential for virus production. This study characterized HHV-6 gM, finding it forms a complex with gN and is vital for virion maturation and replication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a betaherpesvirus that infects T-lymphocytes.
- Several HHV-6 glycoproteins are crucial for viral entry and maturation.
- The specific role of HHV-6 glycoprotein M (gM) has remained uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of HHV-6 glycoprotein M (gM).
- To determine the role of HHV-6 gM in viral replication and production.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of HHV-6 gM expression on virions.
- Analysis of gM complex formation with glycoprotein N (gN).
- Utilizing a gM mutant and revertant virus to assess replication.
Main Results:
- HHV-6 gM is expressed as a complex N-linked glycoprotein on virions.
- gM forms a complex with gN, essential for its transport from the ER to the Golgi.
- A gM mutant virus lacking a functional gM start codon could not be reconstituted, confirming gM's essential role.
Conclusions:
- HHV-6 glycoprotein M is indispensable for virus production.
- gM's function in HHV-6 replication is critical, differing from its role in alphaherpesviruses.
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