Release of coronavirus E protein in membrane vesicles from virus-infected cells and E protein-expressing cells.
Coronavirus E protein is a small viral envelope protein that plays an essential role in coronavirus assembly; coexpression of coronavirus M and E proteins results in the production of virus-like particles. The present study demonstrated that mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) E protein was released as an integral membrane protein in lipid vesicles from E-protein-expressing mammalian cells, in the absence of other MHV proteins. Furthermore, our data indicated that the E-protein-containing vesicles, which had a slightly lighter buoyant density than that of MHV, were released from MHV-infected cells. These data implied that E protein alone can drive the production and release of coronavirus envelope in the absence of M protein.
Maeda
J
J
Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
Maeda
A
A
Makino
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D006224:Cricetinae; D005089:Exocytosis; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015531:Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay; D014162:Transfection; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins