Mitochondrial distribution and function in herpes simplex virus-infected cells

In this study, mitochondria migrated to a perinuclear region in the cytopla sm in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells. HSV infection did not prom ote the expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 but did promote that o f stress-responsive HSP60, both of which are known to be components of mito chondria, The levels of cellular ATP and lactate and mitochondrial membrane potential were maintained for at least 6 h but decreased at the late stage of infection. It was also found that the UL41 and UL46 gene products, both of which are known to be tegument proteins, accumulated in the perinuclear region. The clustering of mitochondria and the accumulation of tegument pr oteins were completely blocked by the addition of nocodazole and vinblastin e. These results suggest that mitochondria respond to the stimulation of HS V infection, migrating with tegument proteins along microtubules to a site around the nucleus, and maintain function until at least the middle stage o f infection.