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Journal of Virology, December 2003, p. 13275-13287, Vol. 77, No. 24
0022-538X/03/$08.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.77.24.13275-13287.2003
Copyright © 2003, American
Society for
Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Department of Genetic Medicine,1 Program in Neuroscience, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences,Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York2
Received 12 March 2003/ Accepted 15 September 2003
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Among these
processes, the transition from microtubule translocation to nuclear
binding requires further characterization. The microtubule cytoskeleton
forms a coordinate system within the cell originating at the
microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and radiating toward the cell
periphery. The microtubule cytoskeleton controls the positioning of
many organelles within the cell, including the Golgi apparatus,
lysosomes, endosomes, and the nucleus, which is often found in close
apposition to the MTOC
(45). The MTOC contains a
unique complement of proteins, including pericentrin,
-,
ß-, and
-tubulin, Spc97p, 98c, 110p,
-tubulin
binding protein, centrin, ninein, CDC2, CPAP, kendrin, protein kinase
A, dynactin, and cytoplasmic dynein
(5). Microtubules have an
inherent polarity, with the slow-growing (negative) end toward the MTOC
and the fast-growing (positive) end toward the cell periphery
(26,
27,
37). The
microtubule-dependent molecular motor, cytoplasmic dynein, moves cargo
toward the MTOC and the nucleus
(40). Intracellular
trafficking of Ad is known to involve cytoplasmic dynein movement
toward the MTOC (22,
43), but at some point
during this process, Ad suspends its microtubule-dependent
translocation in favor of a stable association with the nuclear
envelope.
There are hints that the Ad capsid may associate with the MTOC prior to translocation to the nucleus. Ad accumulates in juxtaposition with the nucleus near the MTOC prior to binding to the nuclear envelope in some cell types (14). However, the proximity of the MTOC to the nuclear envelope complicates the analysis of Ad-MTOC interaction compared to Ad-nuclear envelope interaction. When Ad infects mitotic cells that lack intact nuclei, the Ad capsid accumulates at MTOC structures (spindle poles) (10, 22). However, since dissociated elements of the nuclear envelope also accumulate at spindle poles, it is unclear whether Ad interacts with the constituents of the MTOC or with the dissociated elements of the nuclear envelope. To evaluate the hypothesis that Ad capsids form a stable association with the MTOC during the trafficking process, we developed a model system for Ad trafficking in enucleated cells. The data demonstrate that there is a stable association of Ad with the MTOC in the absence of a nucleus. The results have implications for understanding the mechanism of transition from microtubule-based translocation to a stable nuclear envelope association during viral infection.
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FIG. 1. Method
for producing enucleated cells. A549 cells were plated and grown on
coverslip dishes (see reference
21). Cells to be
enucleated were treated with cytochalasin B medium and mock-enucleated
cells were treated with control medium and centrifuged identically.
(A) A549 cells in 35-mm-diameter coverslip dish. Cells at the
center of the dish grow on an optical quality coverslip that is adhered
to the bottom of the 35-mm-diameter dish to cover a hand-punched hole.
(B) Top view of 500-ml centrifuge bottle loaded with stacks
of dishes, each containing four coverslip dishes and three 15-ml
centrifuge tubes to lock the coverslip dishes into place. (C)
Side view of 500-ml centrifuge bottle loaded with three stacks of
coverslip dishes. All of the dishes are submerged in medium.
(D) Centrifuge rotor diagram with 500-ml centrifuge bottles
containing coverslip dishes for enucleation. Note that the monolayers
are oriented so that the direction of centrifugal force is nearly
perpendicular to the
monolayer.
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Infection of mock-enucleated or enucleated A549 cells with fluorophore-conjugated Ad. Cells were washed three times in binding buffer (1x minimum essential medium [MEM; Invitrogen], 1% bovine serum albumin [BSA; Sigma], 10 mM HEPES [Biofluids] [pH 7.4]). Naive, mock-enucleated, or enucleated cells were infected with Cy3-Ad or carboxyfluorescein-Ad (1011 particles/ml, 10 min, 37°C) in binding buffer. After infection, unbound Ad was removed by three washes with binding buffer followed by a 60-min incubation at 37°C. Following incubation, cells were washed three times with PBS (Biofluids) and fixed in -20°C methanol (Sigma) for 20 min. After three PBS washes, the nuclei were stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI; Molecular Probes).
Evaluation of enucleated cell structure by indirect immunofluorescence. To evaluate enucleated cell structure, we looked at the cytoskeletal elements by indirect immunofluorescence. Following fixation with methanol as described above, cells were washed three times in PBS and blocked with a solution containing 5% goat serum (Jackson Immuno Labs, Garden Grove, Pa.) and 1% BSA in PBS with 0.05% saponin (Sigma) for 20 min at 23°C. For structural analysis, primary antibodies included a rat anti-tubulin monoclonal antibody (clone YL1/2; kindly provided by Gregg Gundersen, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, N.Y.), an anti-cytokeratin mouse monoclonal antibody (10 µg of purified immunoglobulin G per ml) (clone Cy-90; Sigma), and an anti-vimentin mouse monoclonal antibody (10 µg of purified immunoglobulin G per ml) (Chemicon, Temecula, Calif.). Each primary antibody was incubated with enucleated cells in blocking solution for 45 min at 23°C. The cells were then washed three times with 1% BSA in PBS. A goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody conjugated to Alexa 488 fluorophore was used at a final concentration of 10 µg/ml diluted in blocking solution and was incubated for 30 min at 23°C (Molecular Probes). After three washes with PBS, the nuclei were stained with DAPI as described above and were given a final three washes in PBS prior to mounting with a glycerol-based mounting medium (SlowFade; Molecular Probes). Filamentous actin structure was evaluated in enucleated cells by use of phalloidin conjugated to Alexa 488 or Alexa 546 fluorophore (220 nM, 20 min) (Molecular Probes). Phalloidin-stained cells were fixed in either 4% paraformaldehyde (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Fort Washington, Pa.) in PBS, as suggested by Molecular Probes, or methanol to allow simultaneous pericentrin staining with equivalent results.
Microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy was performed with an Olympus XL70 inverted microscope equipped with x60 numeric aperture (N.A.) 1.40 PlanApo and x100 N.A. 1.35 UPlanApo objective lenses. Images were acquired with a Photometrix Quantix 57 cooled charge-coupled device camera with a 535 by 512, back-illuminated, UV-VIS coated chip operating at 3 MHz (Roper Instruments, Inc., Trenton, N.J.). Image analysis was performed with Metamorph imaging software (Universal Imaging, Downingtown, Pa.). During live cell microscopy, cells were incubated in coverslip dishes with 2 ml of Leibovitz's medium (Invitrogen) supplemented with 1% BSA and 10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, and maintained at 37°C by a Nikon NP-2 thermostat-controlled stage heater (Morrell Instruments, Melville, N.Y.). Infected cells were imaged at 40 to 60 min postinfection to determine the velocity of Ad as it undergoes intracellular trafficking prior to reaching the terminal target. Time-lapse series were acquired at 0.4-s intervals for 90 s. Image sequences were converted to a single digital videofile to allow movie playback and identification of Ad particles undergoing trafficking. Ad particles that translocated in a curvilinear manner in the plane of focus for a minimum of 2 s or 2 µm of uninterrupted movement were used for velocity measurements. To evaluate stable versus labile association of Ad with the nuclear envelope or MTOC, the frequency of Ad particle arrival and departure was determined by use of time-lapse microscopy of Ad in mock-enucleated or enucleated cells. Cells were imaged at either 40 to 60 min postinfection or 60 to 90 min postinfection. Viral particles that translocated in a curvilinear manner, either arriving at or departing from the nucleus or MTOC, were scored as having movement when unidirectional translocation was observed for at least 2 s or 2 µm. Data are presented as numbers of events per minute of observation. For each condition, 15 min of time-lapse images were recorded and analyzed during the 40- to 60-min period and 15 min of time-lapse images were recorded and analyzed during the 60- to 90-min period. Each condition was analyzed for at least 10 individual cultures. Mean values for arrival and departure frequencies for each culture were determined, and the average of the means with standard error is reported for each condition.
Ad trafficking patterns in the presence or absence of a nucleus. Naive, mock-enucleated, and enucleated cells were prepared and infected as described above. The cells were then incubated for 0 or 60 min at 37°C. Following incubation, the cells were fixed and the nuclei were stained as described above. The positions of the labeled Ad were evaluated and compared to the positions of the nuclei.
Ad trafficking to the MTOC in the absence of a nucleus. Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared and infected as described above. The cells were then incubated for 60 min at 37°C. Following incubation, the cells were fixed and the MTOC was localized and detected by using indirect immunofluorescence staining as described above. To localize pericentrin, fixed cells were treated with a rabbit anti-pericentrin polyclonal antiserum (Covance, Princeton, N.J.) at a 1:150 dilution in blocking solution for 45 min at 23°C, with detection by secondary antibodies and nuclear staining performed as described above. The position of Ad was evaluated compared to the positions of the MTOC and the nucleus.
Competence of Ad trafficking in enucleated cells over time after enucleation. Enucleated cells were prepared as described above. Following enucleation, cells were incubated for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 9 h prior to infection with Cy3-Ad by the method described above. The cells were then incubated for 60 min at 37°C. Following incubation, the cells were fixed and the MTOC and nuclei were stained as described above. The position of Ad was evaluated compared to the positions of the MTOC and nuclei.
Uniformity of Ad trafficking to the MTOC in enucleated cells. Enucleated cells were prepared and infected with carboxyfluorescein-Ad as described above. The cells were then incubated for 0 or 60 min at 37°C. Following incubation, the cells were either fixed or reinfected with Cy3-Ad (1011 particles/ml, 10 min, 37°C) and then incubated for either 0 or 60 min at 37°C. Cells were fixed with methanol and the positions of carboxyfluorescein-Ad and Cy3-Ad were evaluated.
Capacity of Ad capsids to escape from endosomes in enucleated cells. Enucleated cells were infected with carboxyfluorescein-conjugated Ad (1011 particles per ml, 10 min, 37°C), washed, and incubated for an additional 60 min. In parallel, enucleated cells were treated with fluorescein-conjugated dextran (10,000 Da; Molecular Probes) at 5 mg/ml for 30 min, washed, and incubated for 60 min. Images of single microscopic fields of living cells were collected as follows: (i) initial image in binding buffer, (ii) second image in binding buffer, and (iii) third image in binding buffer supplemented with 50 mM methylamine, pH 7.0. Fluorescence intensity of the fluorescein probes was isolated by correcting for variations in the background fluorescence of the field by use of the "flatten background" algorithm in the MetaMorph image analysis software followed by digital background subtraction. In the processed image, a threshold intensity was set so that all fluorescence intensities exceeding 1% of the dynamic range of the camera would be integrated. Four fields of cells were quantified for each condition.
Ultrastructural analysis of the terminal localization of Ad in cells lacking a nucleus. Infected cells were analyzed by electron microscopy. Cells were infected with AdNull at 1011 particles/ml for 15 min at 37°C. Following infection, cells were either collected and fixed or incubated for 60 min prior to harvesting and fixation. Cells were washed three times with PBS containing 10 mM EGTA at 37°C, digested with trypsin, pelleted at 500 rpm (Beckman GH3.8 rotor) for 3 min, washed again with PBS-EGTA, and then fixed. Cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde-2.5% glutaraldehyde-0.02% picric acid in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer for 30 min. Samples were postfixed with 1% OsO4-1.5% potassium ferricyanide in sodium cacodylate buffer, block stained with 1.5% aqueous uranyl acetate, dehydrated in graded alcohols, and embedded in EMbed 812 (Electron Microscopy Sciences). Ultrathin 60-nm sections were prepared and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate prior to examination with a JEOL 100CX-II transmission electron microscope.
Cy3-Ad and MTOC localization following treatment with cytochalasin B or nocodazole. Cells were either mock enucleated or enucleated and infected with Cy3-Ad as described above. Following the 60-min postinfection incubation, cells received no treatment (naive) or were treated with either dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (0.1%, diluent control) (Sigma), cytochalasin B (20 µM, to depolymerize the actin microfilaments), or nocodazole (25 µM, to depolymerize the microtubules) for 20 min. Following drug treatment, the cells were fixed with methanol. The MTOC and nuclei were stained as described above, and the position of Ad was evaluated compared to those of the MTOC and nucleus.
Photobleaching analysis of stability of carboxyfluorescein-Ad association with the nuclei or MTOC. Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared as described above. Cells were either loaded with CellTracker Green fluorescent dye (5 µM, 60 min, 37°C) (Molecular Probes) or were infected with carboxyfluorescein-Ad and incubated for 60 min at 37°C. Following incubation, regions of cells were photobleached and imaged. A Zeiss LSM510 laser scanning confocal microscope running Zeiss software version 2.8 with a 25 mW argon laser operated at 75% output at 488 nm was used for bleaching (Zeiss, Thornwood, N.Y.). Cells were imaged by use of a x63 N.A. 1.4 PlanApo DIC oil immersion objective lens, an HFT488 dichroic mirror, and an LP505 emission filter. A 96-µm-diameter pinhole allowed a 0.7-µm optical slice. The dwell time per pixel was 2.24 µs. The full frame was 512 by 512 pixels. Images were collected in z stacks with a step size of 0.5 or 0.6 µm. The initial image of the selected field was acquired by using 4% transmittance of the laser, with the photomultiplier tube optimized for 8-bit imaging. Selected regions were photobleached by 90 or 180 iterations of the 488-nm laser line at 100% transmittance. An image was recorded by using 4% laser transmittance immediately after completion of photobleaching. A 20-min recovery period was allowed and another image was collected. All imaging and the 20-min recovery period were done at room temperature. Analysis of the fluorescence intensities at the site of photobleaching was performed on images acquired prior to photobleaching, immediately following photobleaching, or following a 20-min incubation after photobleaching with the aid of Metamorph imaging software (Universal Imaging).
Long-term stability of Cy3-Ad association with the MTOC in cells lacking a nucleus. Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared and infected with Cy3-Ad as described above. Cells were then incubated for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 9 h at 37°C. Following incubation, cells were fixed with methanol and the MTOC and nuclei were stained as described above. Cy3-Ad distribution was evaluated relative to the MTOC and nuclei.
Statistical evaluation. Data are presented as means ± standard errors of the means. Statistical evaluations were performed by using the two-tailed Student t test.
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The orientation of the monolayer relative to the direction of centrifugal g force was critical for efficient enucleation, with more rapid and gentler enucleation and less cell loss favored as the plane of the cell monolayer was brought perpendicular to the centrifugal force. Enucleation was equally effective whether we used cytochalasin B or a closely related compound, cytochalasin D. Use of either latrunculin A or latrunculin B, potent fungal toxins that cause disruption of microfilaments, resulted in unacceptably high levels of cell loss from the monolayer. Similarly, use of the microtubule depolymerizing agent, nocodazole, alone or in combination with any of the filamentous actin depolymerizing agents, resulted in excessive loss of cells from the monolayer. Centrifugation conditions were also variables in the process of enucleation. Centrifuge speeds of >7,500 x g as well as centrifuge times of >75 min increased loss of cells from the monolayer, while centrifuge speeds of <6,500 x g or centrifuge times of <55 min resulted in inefficient enucleation. The final centrifuge conditions optimized for enucleation of A549 cells were 7,250 x g for 65 min. The temperature at which cells were centrifuged during enucleation also had an effect on the success of the technique. Enucleation was not possible at temperatures below 24°C and was highly inefficient (<50%) at temperatures below 34°C.
Ad trafficking in enucleated cells. To examine Ad trafficking, we performed all studies in naive A549 cells, mock-enucleated cells (cells centrifuged without the addition of cytochalasin B), and enucleated cells. To create a wave of viral infection that could be followed through the cells, we applied a high concentration of fluorophore-conjugated Ad to cells for a brief infection period and allowed the virus to traffic within cells for either 0 or 60 min. Immediately after infection, Cy3-Ad was localized to the cell periphery of naive, mock-enucleated, and enucleated cells (Fig. 2A to C). In naive and mock-enucleated cells, the virus trafficked to the nuclear envelope within 60 min (Fig. 2D and E). In enucleated cells, Cy3-Ad trafficked to the interior of enucleated cells within 60 min and was found in a discrete focus in the center of the cells (Fig. 2F). Prior to attaining focused intracellular localization in enucleated cells, Ad capsids were observed undergoing rapid, curvilinear translocation, which was previously attributed to microtubule-dependent translocation(21, 22, 43). When Ad was translocating, mean velocities in excess of 2 µm/s (2.2 ± 0.1 µm/s for mock-enucleated cells and 2.4 ± 0.2 µm/s for enucleated cells [n = 50 for each group; P > 0.05]) were observed in both mock-enucleated and enucleated cells, indicative of microtubule-dependent trafficking.
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FIG. 2. Ad
trafficking patterns in the presence or absence of a nucleus.
Enucleated cells were prepared by treatment with cytochalasin B medium
and centrifugation followed by washing. Mock-enucleated cells were
centrifuged in medium lacking cytochalasin B. Following centrifugation,
cells were infected with Cy3-Ad, washed, and incubated for 0 or 60 min
at 37°C. Cells were fixed and the nuclei were stained with
DAPI. Cy3-Ad distribution was evaluated by fluorescence and
phase-contrast microscopy. (A) Naive cells 0 min after
infection. (B) Mock-enucleated cells 0 min after infection.
(C) Enucleated cells 0 min after infection. (D)
Naive cells 60 min after infection. (E) Mock-enucleated cells
60 min after infection. (F) Enucleated cells 60 min after
infection. Each panel shows Cy3-Ad (Ad), DAPI-staining (nuclei), and
phase-contrast (phase) images. Bar = 10
µm.
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FIG. 3. Ad
trafficking to the MTOC in the absence of a nucleus. Naive,
mock-enucleated, and enucleated cells were prepared and infected as
described for Fig. 2.
Cells were incubated for 60 min following infection, and Cy3-Ad
distribution was evaluated relative to nuclei (DAPI stain) and the MTOC
(pericentrin staining). (A) Naive cells. (B)
Mock-enucleated cells. (C) Enucleated cells. Each panel shows
Cy3-Ad (Ad), pericentrin-staining (MTOC), DAPI-staining (nuclei), and
phase-contrast (phase) images. Bar = 10
µm.
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FIG. 4. Ad
trafficking in enucleated cells over time. Enucleated cells were
prepared as described for Fig.
2, washed, and incubated
for 0 to 9 h prior to infection. Cells were then infected
with Cy3-Ad, fixed, stained, and evaluated as for Fig.
3. Shown for the various
times postenucleation and prior to infection are Cy3-Ad (red), MTOC
(green), colocalization (yellow) (overlay), and phase-contrast (phase)
images. Bar = 10
µm.
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FIG. 5. Uniformity
of trafficking pattern to the MTOC in enucleated cells. Enucleated
cells were prepared and infected as for Fig.
2. Following infection
with carboxyfluorescein-Ad (green), enucleated cells were incubated for
1 h and then reinfected with Cy3-labeled Ad (red). The
reinfected enucleated cells were then incubated for 0 or 60 min.
Colocalization of the two different Ads is indicated in yellow in the
overlay of images. Bar = 10
µm.
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FIG. 6. Ad
capsid escape from endosomes in enucleated cells. Enucleated A549 cells
were incubated with either fluorescein-dextran or carboxyfluorescein-Ad
followed by a 1-h incubation. The fluorescein fluorescence intensity
was measured in living cells in the absence or presence of methylamine
(pH 7.0) and compared to the fluorescence intensity of an initial image
that was acquired in the absence of methylamine (dashed line).
Fluorescein-dextran, a marker of lysosomes, showed a 71%
increase in fluorescence intensity following the addition of
methylamine, indicating localization in an acidic compartment.
Carboxyfluorescein-Ad fluorescence intensity did not increase following
the addition of methylamine, indicating localization in a neutral
compartment, consistent with cytosolic
localization.
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FIG. 7. Ultrastructural
localization of Ad in mock-enucleated and enucleated cells.
Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared as for Fig.
2. Cells were infected for
15 min with AdNull, washed, and fixed or incubated for 60 min at
37°C prior to fixation. (A) Entry of Ad into cells
after a 15-min infection. Ad capsids are visible at the cell surface,
in an endosome, and free in the cytosol (arrows, left to right).
(B) Mock-enucleated cell at 60 min postinfection. Both intact
Ad capsids (filled arrows) and empty Ad capsids (open arrow) are
located near the nuclear envelope. (C) Enucleated cell at 60
min postinfection. Both intact Ad capsids (filled arrows) and empty Ad
capsids (open arrows) are located near the center of the enucleated
cell. Some Ad capsids are located adjacent to microtubules
(arrowheads). Well-organized centrioles were not observed in
enucleated, mock-enucleated, or naive A549 cells. Bar = 200
nm.
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FIG. 8. Effect
of microtubule disruption on Ad and MTOC localization. Cells were
enucleated and infected as for Fig.
2. Following the 1-h
postinfection incubation, mock-enucleated or enucleated cells were left
untreated (naive) or were treated with either DMSO, cytochalasin B, or
nocodazole for 20 min. The cells were then fixed, and the MTOC and
nuclei were stained as for Fig.
3. Shown for each
treatment are Cy3-Ad (Ad), pericentrin-stained (MTOC), DAPI-stained
(nuclei), and phase-contrast (phase) images. (A) Naive
mock-enucleated cells. (B) Mock-enucleated cells treated with
DMSO. (C) Mock-enucleated cells treated with cytochalasin B.
(D) Mock-enucleated cells treated with nocodazole.
(E) Naive enucleated cells. (F) Enucleated cells
treated with DMSO. (G) Enucleated cells treated with
cytochalasin B. (H) Enucleated cells treated with nocodazole.
Bar = 10
µm.
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FIG. 9. Short-term
stability of Cy3-Ad association with the MTOC in cells lacking a
nucleus. Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared as for Fig.
2. Cells were either
loaded with CellTracker Green fluorescent dye or infected for 10 min
with carboxyfluorescein-Ad, washed, and incubated for 60 min at
37°C. Following incubation, regions of cells were photobleached
with an argon laser at 488 nm. Images were collected with a confocal
microscope before bleaching, after bleaching, and following a 20-min
recovery period. (A) Mock-enucleated cell stained with
CellTracker Green. (B) Mock-enucleated cell infected with
carboxyfluorescein-Ad. (C) Enucleated cell infected with
carboxyfluorescein-Ad. (D) Quantitative analysis of the
fluorescence intensity at the site of bleaching. Bar = 10
µm.
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View this table: [in a new window] |
TABLE 1. Arrival
and departure of Ad from terminal trafficking locations
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FIG. 10. Long-term
stability of Cy3-Ad association with the MTOC in cells lacking a
nucleus. Mock-enucleated and enucleated cells were prepared as for Fig.
2. Cells were infected for
10 min with Cy3-Ad, washed, and incubated for 0 to 9 h at
37°C. Cy3-Ad distribution was evaluated relative to nuclei
(DAPI stain) and the MTOC (pericentrin staining). The length of time of
incubation of cells following the addition of Cy3-Ad is shown at the
top. (A) Mock-enucleated cells. (B) Enucleated
cells. Bar = 10
µm.
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The observation of a stable association of Ad with the MTOC in the absence of a nucleus has important implications for the understanding of the late stages of Ad infection. Ultimately, Ad binds to the nuclear envelope near the site of nuclear pores, where both DNA-containing and empty Ad capsids have been observed at the nuclear envelope (7, 10). As infection progresses, the proportion of empty Ad capsids increases, leading to the model that Ad arrives at the nuclear envelope prior to release of DNA from the capsid (7, 10). One possibility is that the Ad capsid has a higher affinity for the nuclear envelope than for any other structure in the cytosol. Binding of Ad to the nuclear envelope has been observed by use of purified components in vitro (38, 47, 51). In this nuclear envelope affinity sink model for nuclear localization, Ad capsids will eventually develop an association with the nuclear envelope by an iterative process, establishing and then disengaging from less stable associations with other cytosolic structures such as microtubules. The observation presented here that the Ad-MTOC association is highly stable can only be consistent with the nuclear envelope affinity sink model if the Ad capsid rarely forms a highly stable association with the MTOC during infection of a normal cell. This result could occur if the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton makes it likely that Ad will encounter the nucleus prior to reaching the MTOC. In this scenario, a microtubule cytoskeleton composed of highly curved microtubules may be more likely to deliver Ad to the nucleus prior to encountering the MTOC, whereas a microtubule cytoskeleton composed of simple straight microtubules such as that found in fibroblasts may be more likely to deliver Ad to the MTOC first. Alternatively, the stability of the Ad-MTOC interaction suggests that an "MTOC rescue" model might be invoked. Some cellular activity, either at the MTOC or associated with the nuclear envelope, could mediate active release of Ad from microtubules to the nuclear envelope. Candidates for this activity include cytosolic proteins, such as those involved in proteasome-mediated degradation found at the MTOC in structures named aggresomes (20). An aggresome is a transient entity that forms in response to misfolded proteins. It is possible that the cell recognizes the Ad capsid as a misfolded protein, stimulating formation of an aggresome at the MTOC. This hypothesis is consistent with the observation of aggresome formation induced by other viral antigens (1). It is known that unfolding of proteins prior to proteasomal degradation requires the functioning of cytosolic molecular chaperones, including the family of heat shock proteins (18). Several heat shock proteins have been implicated in the Ad infection pathway, although the functions of these proteins have not yet been determined (31, 38). Interestingly, our observation that two distinct waves of viral infection could achieve MTOC localization to the same structure suggests that the cellular components that maintain the Ad-MTOC association were not limiting under our conditions. The MTOC rescue model and nuclear affinity sink models are not mutually exclusive, and some combination of these models may result in the final association of Ad with the nuclear envelope.
Other than Ad, many other viruses require microtubule-mediated translocation as part of their infection pathway. The herpesvirus nucleocapsid, like that of Ad, requires the activity of the microtubule-associated molecular motor cytoplasmic dynein to achieve nuclear localization (12). Microtubule-dependent motility appears to be a broadly utilized mechanism by which the efficiency of viral infection is enhanced (3, 41). The principle of stable association of viral capsid with the MTOC documented here may play a role in our understanding of the infection pathway of other viruses as well. Enucleated cells have been used previously as model systems to study the nuclear dependence of viral replication (34). The present research demonstrates the utility of enucleated cells for studying intracellular trafficking pathways during viral infection.
These studies were supported in part by grants P01 HL51746, P01 HL59312, and R01 AR46282-01A1; the Will Rogers Memorial Fund, Los Angeles, Calif.; and GenVec, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md. C.J.B. was supported in part by NIH grant T32 HL07423.
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5ß1-mediated adenovirus infection is enhanced by the
integrin-activating antibody TS2/16. J. Virol.
71:6204-6207.[Abstract]
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