The M protein of vesicular stomatitis virus associates specifically with the basolateral membranes of polarized epithelial cells independently of the G protein.
Using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, we investigated the distribution of the M protein in situ in vesicular stomatitis virus-(VSV) infected MDCK cells. M protein was observed free in the cytoplasm and associated with the plasma membrane. Using the ts045 mutant of VSV to uncouple the synthesis and transport of the VSV G protein we demonstrated that this distribution was not related to the presence of G protein on the cell surface. Sections of epon-embedded infected cells labeled with antibody to the M protein and processed for indirect horseradish peroxidase immunocytochemistry revealed that the M protein was associated specifically with the basolateral plasma membrane. The G and M proteins of VSV have therefore evolved features which bring them independently to the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells and allow virus to bud specifically from that membrane.
Bergmann
J E
JE
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York 10032.
Fusco
P J
PJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D001692:Biological Transport; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011485:Protein Binding; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000502:physiology*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins