Evidence that the respiratory syncytial virus polymerase complex associates with lipid rafts in virus-infected cells: a proteomic analysis

Journal Article · Sun Dec 05 04:00:00 EST 2004 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2004.09.034· OSTI ID:20637182

McDonald, Terence P ^[1]; Pitt, Andrew R ^[2]; Brown, Gaie ^[1]; Rixon, Helen W. McL. ^[1]; Sugrue, Richard J ^[1]

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1. MRC Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Glasgow G11 5JR (United Kingdom)
2. Sir Henry Wellcome Functional Genomics Facility, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ (United Kingdom)

The interaction between the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) polymerase complex and lipid rafts was examined in HEp2 cells. Lipid-raft membranes were prepared from virus-infected cells and their protein content was analysed by Western blotting and mass spectrometry. This analysis revealed the presence of the N, P, L, M2-1 and M proteins. However, these proteins appeared to differ from one another in their association with these structures, with the M2-1 protein showing a greater partitioning into raft membranes compared to that of the N, P or M proteins. Determination of the polymerase activity profile of the gradient fractions revealed that 95% of the detectable viral enzyme activity was associated with lipid-raft membranes. Furthermore, analysis of virus-infected cells by confocal microscopy suggested an association between these proteins and the raft-lipid, GM1. Together, these results provide evidence that the RSV polymerase complex is able to associate with lipid rafts in virus-infected cells.

• OSTI ID: 20637182
• Journal Information: Virology, Journal Name: Virology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 330; ISSN VIRLAX; ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ENZYME ACTIVITY
INTERACTIONS
LIPIDS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MEMBRANES
MICROSCOPY
PROTEINS
VIRUSES