ULTRASTRUCTURE AND LOCALIZATION OF E-PROTEINS IN CULTURED NEURON CELLS INFECTED WITH JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS

A unique structure and in situ localization of E proteins were demonst rated in cultured neurons infected with neurovirulent and aneurovirule nt strains of local Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Dilated rough e ndoplasmic reticulum (rER) containing smooth membrane structures (SMS) was continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. These membranes were found to be connected to unique dense bodies, membrane vesicle structures (MVS). The de novo formation of SMS, annulate lame llae, and the appearance of MVS indicated proliferation of the membran ous system in response to JEV infection. E proteins were possibly asse mbled in the virions in the nuclear envelope or rER or on the plasma m embrane. The interconnections between MVS, rER, and the nuclear envelo pe and immunogold labeling of E proteins on the MVS provided strong ev idence that MVS serve as a reservoir of JEV components during virus as sembly. (C) 1997 Academic Press.