We characterized the
proteomes of murine N2a cells following
infection with three rabies virus (RV) strains, characterized by distinct virulence phenotypes (i.e., virulent BD06, fixed CVS-11, and attenuated SRV9 strains), and identified 35 changes to
protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in whole-cell lysates. The annotated functions of these
proteins are involved in various cytoskeletal, signal transduction, stress response, and metabolic processes. Specifically, a-
enolase, prx-4,
vimentin,
cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) and prx-6 were significantly up-regulated, whereas Trx like-1 and
galectin-1 were down-regulated following
infection of N2a cells with all three rabies virus strains. However, comparing expressions of all 35
proteins affected between BD06-, CVS-11-, and SRV9-infected cells, specific changes in expression were also observed. The up-regulation of
vimentin, CIAPIN1, prx-4, and 14-3-3 theta/delta, and downregulation of NDPK-B and HSP-1 with CVS and SRV9
infection were ≥ 2 times greater than with BD06. Meanwhile, Zfp12 protein, splicing factor, and
arginine/
serine-rich 1 were unaltered in the cells infected with BD06 and CVS- 11, but were up-regulated in the group infected with SRV9. The proteomic alterations described here may suggest that these changes to
protein expression correlate with the rabies virus' adaptability and virulence in N2a cells, and hence provides new clues as to the response of N2a host cells to rabies virus
infections, and may also aid in uncovering new pathways in these cells that are involved in
rabies infections. Further characterization of the functions of the affected
proteins may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of RV
infection and pathogenesis.