Interaction of the rabies virus P protein with the LC8 dynein light chain

The rabies virus P protein is involved in viral transcription and replicati on bur its precise function is not clear. We investigated the role of P (CV S strain) by searching for cellular partners by using a two-hybrid screenin g of a PC12 cDNA library. We isolated a cDNA encoding a 10-kDa dynein light chain (LC8). LC8 is a component of cytoplasmic dynein involved in the minu s end-directed movement of organelles along microtubules. We confirmed that this molecule interacts with P by coimmunoprecipitation in infected cells and in cells transfected with a plasmid encoding P protein. LC8 was also de tected in virus particles. Series of deletions from the N- and C-terminal e nds of P protein were used to map the LC8-binding domain to the central par t of P (residues 138 to 172). These results are relevant to speculate that dynein may be involved in the axonal transport of rabies virus along microt ubules through neuron cells.