MICROTUBULE-MEDIATED TRANSPORT OF INCOMING HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS-1 CAPSIDS TO THE NUCLEUS

Herpes simplex virus 1 fuses with the plasma membrane of a host cell, and the incoming capsids are efficiently and rapidly transported acros s the cytosol to the nuclear pore complexes, where the viral DNA genom es are released into the nucleoplasm. Using biochemical assays, immuno fluorescence, and immunoelectron microscopy in the presence and absenc e of microtubule depolymerizing agents, it was shown that the cytosoli c capsid transport in Vero cells was mediated by microtubules. Antibod y labeling revealed the attachment of dynein, a minus end-directed, mi crotubule-dependent motor, to the viral capsids. We propose that the i ncoming capsids bind to microtubules and use dynein to propel them fro m the cell periphery to the nucleus.