Human cytomegalovirus nuclear and cytoplasmic dense bodies.
One of the characteristic features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication is the formation of cytoplasmic dense bodies. Recent findings revealed similar structures also in the nuclei of CMV-infected cells. By transmission electron microscopy, immuno electronmicroscopy, and cytochemistry, we have studied the morphogenetic steps and macromolecular composition of both structures. Our results show that both structures contain DNA, RNA and viral antigenic proteins. Nuclear dense bodies are probably an expression of a stimulated cellular metabolism, while cytoplasmic dense bodies may represent the site where surplus cellular and viral molecules are stored before being eliminated.
Istituto di Microscopia Elettronica Clinica, Università di Bologna, Italy.
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Severi
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Landini
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Cenacchi
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Zini
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Maraldi
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000382:microbiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000382:microbiology; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006046:Gold; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral / Q000737:chemistry*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012260:Ribonucleases; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014779:Virus Replication
D014764:Viral Proteins; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; D012313:RNA; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012260:Ribonucleases; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid