Possible function for virus encoded K+ channel Kcv in the replication of chlorella virus PBCV‐1

FEBS Letters

Moroni, Anna³  Thiel, Gerhard¹  Van Etten, James L²  Meckel, Tobias¹  Rothermel, Maike¹  Mehmel, Mario¹ 

[1] Membrane Biophysics, Botany Institute, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstrasse 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany;Department of Plant Pathology and Nebraska Center of Virology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0722, USA;Department of Biology, Istituto di Biofisica del CNR and I.N.F.M., Istituto Nazionale Fisica Materia, Unitá Milano-Universià, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy

关键词: Chlorella virus PBCV-1;    Membrane depolarization;    Viral K+ channel;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(03)00776-2

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

The K⁺ channel Kcv is encoded by the chlorella virus PBCV-1. There is evidence that this channel plays an essential role in the replication of the virus, because both PBCV-1 plaque formation and Kcv channel activity in Xenopus oocytes have similar sensitivities to inhibitors. Here we report circumstantial evidence that the Kcv channel is important during virus infection. Recordings of membrane voltage in the host cells Chlorella NC64A reveal a membrane depolarization within the first few minutes of infection. This depolarization displays the same sensitivity to cations as Kcv conductance; depolarization also requires the intact membrane of the virion. Together these data are consistent with the idea that the virus carries functional K⁺ channels in the virion and inserts them into the host cell plasma membrane during infection.

【 授权许可】

Unknown