Rapid directional translocations in virus replication.

By viewing virus development in real time, the experiments reported here reveal novel processes--rapid directional translocations--that are likely to be important elements of virus replication. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was labeled by the fusion of the green fluorescent protein to a structural protein of its tegument (VP11/12), the product of gene UL46. Infection of cultured cells with this recombinant virus (GHSV-UL46) produced fluorescent particles that were distributed throughout the cytoplasm with concentrations in the perinuclear region; they were absent from the nucleus. Viewing infected cells in real time by means of video microscopy produced a novel dynamic picture of virus development. Most strikingly, some of the fluorescent particles exhibited extremely rapid directional translocations at velocities as great as 5 microm/s. The trajectories and destinations of these particles suggest that the rapid directional translocations serve at least three functions: the rapid transport of viral components to and between cytoplasmic processing stations, the delivery of materials for functions specific to the perinuclear region, and the conveyance of maturing virus particles to the plasma membrane. These rapid directional translocations are novel elements of virus assembly that are likely to be critical for efficient replication.