The nuclear export signal within the E4orf6 protein of adenovirus type 5 supports virus replication and cytoplasmic accumulation of viral mRNA.

During the late phase of adenovirus infection, viral mRNA is efficiently transported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm while most cellular mRNA species are retained in the nucleus. Two viral proteins, E1B-55 kDa and E4orf6, are both necessary for these effects. The E4orf6 protein of adenovirus type 5 binds and relocalizes E1B-55 kDa, and the complex of the two proteins was previously shown to shuttle continuously between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Nucleocytoplasmic transport of the complex is achieved by a nuclear export signal (NES) within E4orf6. Mutation of this signal sequence severely reduces the ability of the E1B-55 kDa-E4orf6 complex to leave the nucleus. Here, we examined the role of functional domains within E4orf6 during virus infection. E4orf6 or mutants derived from it were transiently expressed, followed by infection with recombinant adenovirus lacking the E4 region and determination of virus yield. An arginine-rich putative alpha helix near the carboxy terminus of E4orf6 contributes to E1B-55 kDa binding and relocalization as well as to the synthesis of viral DNA, mRNA, and proteins. Further mutational analysis revealed that mutation of the NES within E4orf6 considerably reduces its ability to support virus production. The same effect was observed when nuclear export was blocked with a competitor. Further, a functional NES within E4orf6 contributed to the efficiency of late virus protein synthesis and viral DNA replication, as well as total and cytoplasmic accumulation of viral late mRNA. Our data support the view that NES-mediated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling strongly enhances most, if not all, intracellular activities of E4orf6 during the late phase of adenovirus infection.