title: Varicella-zoster viral glycoprotein envelopment: ultrastructural cytochemical localization.
abstract: The periodate-thiocarbohydrazide silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) method was used to study the envelopment process in varicella-zoster virus-infected human melanoma cells. Viral envelopment could be seen at two sites, the nuclear membrane and at virus-induced intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Virus-associated glycoconjugates were detected by the PA-TCH-SP method at the plasmalemma and on the inner membrane of the intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Virion envelopes acquired at the nuclear membrane were PA-TCH-SP negative, whereas those acquired at intracytoplasmic vacuoles were PA-TCH-SP positive. All virions found inside these vacuoles contained periodate-reactive envelopes. Release of virions into the extracellular space, where virtually all virions were PA-TCH-SP positive, appeared to be via exocytosis. Thus, the PA-TCH-SP method identifies glycoprotein incorporation at specific cytoplasmic vacuoles distinct from nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi lamellae. These results suggest that envelopment within the cytoplasm is a stage in the assembly of the varicella-zoster virion.
mesh_terms: D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D014764:Viral Proteins