Intracellular trafficking pathway of BK Virus in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

Virology. 2008 Feb 20;371(2):336-49. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.09.030. Epub 2007 Oct 31.

Abstract

Intracellular trafficking of BK Virus (BKV) in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) is critical for BKV nephritis. However, the major trafficking components utilized by BKV remain unknown. Coincubation of HRPTEC with BKV and microtubule disrupting agents prevented BKV infection as detected by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis with antibodies which recognize BKV large T antigen. However, inhibition of a dynein, cellular motor protein, did not interfere with BKV infection in HRPTEC. A colocalization study of BKV with the markers of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus (GA), indicated that BKV reached the ER from 6 to 10 h, while bypassing the GA or passing through the GA too transiently to be detected. This study contributes to the understanding of mechanisms of intracellular trafficking used by BKV in the infection of HRPTEC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • BK Virus / pathogenicity*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / virology
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure*
  • Epithelial Cells / virology*
  • Golgi Apparatus / virology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / cytology
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / virology*
  • Kinetics
  • Microtubules / virology
  • Time Factors
  • Virus Internalization