Increased expression of Hsp70 and co-localization with nuclear protein in cells infected with the Hantaan virus

Objective To investigate the effect of Hantaan virus infection on the expre ssion of stress genes. Methods Techniques of virus infection, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, dual-immunofluorecsence staining, laser scanning confocal microscopy, RNA d ot blot and in situ hybridization were used. Results Expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) was observed in cells i nfected with HTV as well as the translocation of Hsp70 from cytoplasm to nu cleoli following virus infection. The variable distribution of Hsp70 was re lated to the various time after infection. Double-label indirect immunofluo rescence of nuclear protein (NP) and Hsp70 in infected cells demonstrated c o-localization of these proteins in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Overexpression of Hsp70 can be induced directly by Hantaan virus , which may be associated with virus protein assembly. The Hantaan virus pr oteins co-localize with, and possibly form a physical complex with cellular Hsp70 in infected cells.