Characterization of multi-layered membrane generated by rabies virus

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Rabies virus causes cytoplasmic inclusions containing nucleocapsids.
• The nature of these inclusions and associated structures is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the composition and origin of multi-layered membranes found within rabies virus-infected cells.
• To determine if these membranes are a degenerative byproduct or related to viral replication.

Main Methods:

• Electron microscopy was used to visualize the multi-layered membranes within infected BHK cells.
• SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immune electron microscopy were employed to identify viral proteins within isolated membrane preparations.

Main Results:

• Multi-layered membranes were observed within cytoplasmic inclusions in approximately 60% of infected cells maintained at 31°C.
• These membranes consist of alternating electron-dense and less dense layers.
• Viral G and M2 polypeptides were identified in the isolated multi-layered membrane structures.

Conclusions:

• The observed multi-layered membranes are not a degenerative product of rabies virus infection.
• These structures are likely related to the replication of viral envelope constituents.
• They may represent an abortive form of viral assembly.