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Characterization of the influenza virus M2 integral membrane protein and expression at the infected-cell surface from
Abstract:
An investigation of properties of the influenza A virus M2 protein indicated that it is synthesized by 2 h postinfection together with other viral polypeptides and is transported to the infected-cell surface with a half-time of approximately 30 to 40 min. The available evidence suggests that M2 is not N-glycosylated even though it contains a potential glycosylation site, and the intracellular pattern of protein distribution includes localization to the Golgi apparatus. Proteolysis of intracellular microsome vesicles followed by immunoprecipitation with antiserum to a synthetic oligopeptide indicated that the M2 protein contains an extensive region of COOH-terminal amino acids exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the infected-cell membrane. A cDNA clone of the M2 mRNA was obtained and expressed in an SV40 recombinant vector. The M2 protein expressed by the vector became associated with the Golgi complex and was found on the surface of vector-infected cells. M2 is antigenically conserved among all strains of influenza virus both in regions exposed on the cell surface and intracellularly.
Insights
Influenza A virus M2 protein is synthesized early post-infection and travels to the cell surface. This M2 protein is antigenically conserved and located in the Golgi apparatus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The M2 protein is a crucial component of the influenza A virus.
- Understanding M2 protein trafficking and structure is vital for viral research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synthesis, transport, and localization of the influenza A virus M2 protein.
- To determine the antigenic conservation of the M2 protein.
Main Methods:
- Post-infection synthesis analysis
- Intracellular protein transport and localization studies using Golgi apparatus markers
- Proteolysis and immunoprecipitation of M2 protein from infected cell membranes
- Expression of M2 protein via SV40 recombinant vector
Main Results:
- M2 protein synthesized 2 h post-infection, transported to cell surface (30-40 min half-time).
- M2 protein localizes to the Golgi apparatus and is not N-glycosylated.
- Extensive COOH-terminal region exposed on the cytoplasmic side of the infected-cell membrane.
- Vector-expressed M2 protein associates with Golgi and cell surface.
- M2 protein shows antigenic conservation across influenza A virus strains.
Conclusions:
- The influenza A virus M2 protein undergoes rapid transport to the cell surface and Golgi apparatus.
- M2 protein's cytoplasmic exposure and antigenic conservation have implications for viral assembly and immune response.