Description:

The Department of Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series

"Alphaherpesvirus Large Tegument Protein Mediates Intracellular Transport Dynamics During Infection"

Caitlin Pegg, Graduate Student, Lab of Gregrory Smith, PhD /Northwestern University

Description

Mammalian neurotropic alphaherpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PRV), exhibit a trademark capacity for invasion of the nervous system upon casual contact, in turn affording the establishment of a life-long presence within the host. These viruses depend upon recruitment of microtubule-based motors for long distance axonal transport from the cell periphery to the nucleus and back again for efficient viral replication. Therefore, the success of the alphaherpesvirinae is intimately dependent on directed microtubule-based transport. Molecular proteomics, virology, and live-cell fluorescence microscopy techniques are combined to determine how herpesviruses interact with host molecular motors in order to direct their movement to distinct subcellular sites. Findings from this work provide insight into how herpesviruses overcome intrinsic host barriers to establish robust invasion of the nervous system.