title: Mutational analysis of PVX TGBp3 links subcellular accumulation and protein turnover.
abstract: Potato virus X (PVX) TGBp3 is required for virus cell-to-cell transport, has an N-terminal transmembrane domain, and a C-terminal cytosolic domain. In the absence of virus infection TGBp3:GFP is seen in the cortical and perinuclear ER. In PVX infected cells the TGBp3:GFP fusion is also seen in the nucleoplasm indicating that events during PVX infection trigger entry into the nucleus. Mutational analysis failed to identify a nuclear targeting domain. Mutations inhibiting TGBp3 association with the ER and inhibiting virus movement did not block TGBp3:GFP in the nucleoplasm. A mutation disrupting the N-terminal transmembrane domain of TGBp3 caused the fusion to accumulate in the nucleus indicating that nuclear import is regulated by ER interactions. Tunicamycin, an ER-stress inducing chemical, caused lower levels of GFP and TGBp3:GFP to accumulate in virus infected protoplasts. MG115 and MG132 were used to demonstrate that wild-type and mutant TGBp3:GFP fusions were degraded by the 26S proteasome. These observations are consistent with an ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) pathway suggesting that PVX TGBp3, similar to aberrant ER proteins, is translocated to the cytoplasm for degradation. Nuclear accumulation of mutant and wild-type TGBp3:GFP is independent of other PVX proteins and may be another feature of an ERAD pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA.
authors.forename: Ho-Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Chang-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Jeanmarie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verchot-Lubicz
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000737:chemistry; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D017863:Potexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D021381:Protein Transport; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; C061553:ATP dependent 26S protease