The nuclear localization signal of the NS1 protein is essential for Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus infection.

Abstract

The regulatory protein NS1 is a key molecule in life cycle of Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus (PfDNV). When we ectopically expressed the PfDNV NS1 protein in non-P. fuliginosa insect cells, the NS1 protein could not enter the nucleus and remained in the cytosol. However, the NS1 was localized to both the cytosol and nucleus of cockroach hemocyte cells. So we investigated the abilities of the potential nuclear localization signal (NLS) of P. fuliginosa Densovirus non-structural protein 1 (NS1) to translocate NS1 and a carrier protein to the nucleus following transfection into insect cells. Possible nuclear localization sequences were chosen from the NS1 on the basis of the presence of basic residues, which is a common theme in most of the previously identified targeting peptides. Nuclear localization activity was found within the residues 252-257 (RRRRRR) of the NS1, while replacement of a single arginine in this region with glycine abolished it. The targeting activity was enhanced with the arginine residues added.

• Authors: Weidong Zhou, Jiamin Zhang, Bo Yang, Liang Zhou, Yuanyang Hu
• Journal: Virus research (Virus Res) Vol. 145 Issue 1 Pg. 134-40 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1872-7492 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19596391 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nuclear Localization Signals
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins
• Arginine

Topics

• Aedes (virology)
• Amino Acid Substitution
• Animals
• Arginine (chemistry)
• Cell Line
• Densovirus (chemistry, genetics, ultrastructure)
• Hemocytes (virology)
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
• Nuclear Localization Signals
• Periplaneta (virology)
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins (chemistry)