title: Role of AF6 protein in cell-to-cell spread of Herpes simplex virus 1.
abstract: AF6 and its rat homologue afadin are multidomain proteins localized at cell junctions and involved in intercellular adhesion. AF6 interacts via its PDZ domain with nectin-1 at epithelial adherens junctions. Nectin-1 serves as a mediator of cell-to-cell spread for Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). We analyzed the role of AF6 protein in the viral spread and nectin-1 clustering at cell-cell contacts by knockdown of AF6 in epithelial cells. AF6 knockdown reduced efficiency of HSV-1 spreading, however, the clustering of nectin-1 at cell-cell contacts was not affected. Thus, AF6 protein is important for spreading of HSV-1 in epithelial cells, independently of nectin clustering, possibly by stabilization of the E-cadherin-dependent cell adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keyser
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorger
authors.forename: Jovan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radziwill
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moelling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009218:Myosins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075983:Nectins; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: C095516:AFDN protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C000619010:NECTIN1 protein, human; D000075983:Nectins; D009218:Myosins; D016547:Kinesins