Role of AF6 protein in cell-to-cell spread of Herpes simplex virus 1.
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.
Keyser
Johanna
J
Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 30, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
Lorger
Mihaela
M
Pavlovic
Jovan
J
Radziwill
Gerald
G
Moelling
Karin
K
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
C095516:AFDN protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C000619010:NECTIN1 protein, human; D000075983:Nectins; D009218:Myosins; D016547:Kinesins