The largest tegument protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), pUL36, is a multivalent cross-linker between the viral capsids and the tegument and associated membrane proteins during assembly that upon subsequent cell entry releases the incoming capsids from the outer tegument and viral envelope. Here we show that pUL36 was recruited to cytosolic progeny capsids that later colocalized with membrane proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and the trans-Golgi network. During cell entry, pUL36 dissociated from viral membrane proteins but remained associated with cytosolic capsids until arrival at the nucleus. HSV1 UL36 mutants lacking C-terminal portions of increasing size expressed truncated pUL36 but could not form plaques. Cytosolic capsids of mutants lacking the C-terminal 735 of the 3,164 amino acid residues accumulated in the cytosol but did not recruit pUL36 or associate with membranes. In contrast, pUL36 lacking only the 167 C-terminal residues bound to cytosolic capsids and subsequently colocalized with viral and host membrane proteins. Progeny virions fused with neighboring cells, but incoming capsids did not retain pUL36, nor could they target the nucleus or initiate HSV1 gene expression. Our data suggest that residues 2430 to 2893 of HSV1 pUL36, containing one binding site for the capsid protein pUL25, are sufficient to recruit pUL36 onto cytosolic capsids during assembly for secondary envelopment, whereas the 167 residues of the very C terminus with the second pUL25 binding site are crucial to maintain pUL36 on incoming capsids during cell entry. Capsids lacking pUL36 are targeted neither to membranes for virus assembly nor to nuclear pores for genome uncoating. Infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1; human alphaherpesvirus 1) cause the common herpes labialis, herpes keratitis, and keratoconjunctivitis, as well as life-threatening neonatal infections, herpes encephalitis in patients with primary immune deficiencies, and eczema herpeticum in patients with atopic dermatitis (46,54,101,102). The virions contain the DNA genomes of 152 kb encased in icosahedral capsids that interact with the surrounding tegument; this protein layer consists of a partially icosahedrally ordered inner portion and a less organized outer portion that connects to the viral lipid envelope (42,88,101,118). HSV1 packages up to 26 different tegument proteins that have been grouped into inner and outer tegument on the basis of their preferred association with capsids or membranes during assembly and entry as well as their fractionation behavior during virion lysis (40,60,62,68,75,96,116).Herpesvirus morphogenesis commences in the nucleus, where preassembled capsids package newly synthesized viral genomes (12,33,47,75). According to the most widely accepted secondary reenvelopment model, nuclear capsids traverse the nuclear membranes by primary envelopment at the inner nuclear membrane and primary fusion with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum to enter the cytosol. Inner tegument proteins may bind to nuc...

To analyze the assembly of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) by triple-label fluorescence microscopy, we generated a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and inserted eukaryotic Cre recombinase, as well as ␤-galactosidase expression cassettes. When the BAC pHSV1(17 ؉ )blueLox was transfected back into eukaryotic cells, the Cre recombinase excised the BAC sequences, which had been flanked with loxP sites, from the viral genome, leading to HSV1(17 ؉ )blueLox. We then tagged the capsid protein VP26 and the envelope protein glycoprotein D (gD) with fluorescent protein domains to obtain HSV1(17 ؉ )blueLox-GFPVP26-gDRFP and -RFPVP26-gDGFP. All HSV1 BACs had variations in the a-sequences and lost the oriL but were fully infectious. The tagged proteins behaved as their corresponding wild type, and were incorporated into virions. Fluorescent gD first accumulated in cytoplasmic membranes but was later also detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. Initially, cytoplasmic capsids did not colocalize with viral glycoproteins, indicating that they were naked, cytosolic capsids. As the infection progressed, they were enveloped and colocalized with the viral membrane proteins. We then analyzed the subcellular distribution of capsids, envelope proteins, and nuclear pores during a synchronous infection. Although the nuclear pore network had changed in ca. 20% of the cells, an HSV1-induced reorganization of the nuclear pore architecture was not required for efficient nuclear egress of capsids. Our data are consistent with an HSV1 assembly model involving primary envelopment of nuclear capsids at the inner nuclear membrane and primary fusion to transfer capsids into the cytosol, followed by their secondary envelopment on cytoplasmic membranes.Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) causes severe human diseases such as herpes encephalitis or herpes keratoconjunctivitis (18). Its double-stranded DNA genome of 152 kb that codes for more than 80 open reading frames is enclosed in an icosahedral capsid with a diameter of 125 nm. HSV1 is a spherical, enveloped virus with a diameter of about 250 nm. Between the capsid and the viral membrane, there is an amorphous, asymmetric layer, the tegument, which consists of about 20 different proteins (45,74). HSV1 enters cells by fusion at the plasma membrane or after endocytosis by fusion with an endosomal membrane (19,42,66,67,82). After dynein-mediated transport along microtubules (32,56,59,81), capsids reach the nuclear pore where the viral genome is released into the nucleoplasm (68) for viral transcription and DNA replication (74). Progeny viral genomes are packaged into preassembled nuclear capsids, which translocate to the inner nuclear membrane. The subsequent steps of herpesvirus morphogenesis are controversial (12, 13, 65).HSV1 capsids can leave the nucleus by primary envelopment at the inner nuclear membrane (6, 64). According to the luminal or single-envelopment hypothesis, these enveloped virions present in the lumen of the nuclear envelope or the endoplasmic reticulu...

Progeny capsids of herpesviruses leave the nucleus by budding through the nuclear envelope. Two viral proteins, the membrane protein pUL34 and the nucleo-phosphoprotein pUL31 form the nuclear egress complex that is required for capsid egress out of the nucleus. All pUL31 orthologs are composed of a diverse N-terminal domain with 1 to 3 basic patches and a conserved C-terminal domain. To decipher the functions of the N-terminal domain, we have generated several Herpes simplex virus mutants and show here that the N-terminal domain of pUL31 is essential with basic patches being critical for viral propagation. pUL31 and pUL34 entered the nucleus independently of each other via separate routes and the N-terminal domain of pUL31 was required to prevent their premature interaction in the cytoplasm. Unexpectedly, a classical bipartite nuclear localization signal embedded in this domain was not required for nuclear import of pUL31. In the nucleus, pUL31 associated with the nuclear envelope and newly formed capsids. Viral mutants lacking the N-terminal domain or with its basic patches neutralized still associated with nucleocapsids but were unable to translocate them to the nuclear envelope. Replacing the authentic basic patches with a novel artificial one resulted in HSV1(17+)Lox-UL31-hbpmp1mp2, that was viable but delayed in nuclear egress and compromised in viral production. Thus, while the C-terminal domain of pUL31 is sufficient for the interaction with nucleocapsids, the N-terminal domain was essential for capsid translocation to sites of nuclear egress and a coordinated interaction with pUL34. Our data indicate an orchestrated sequence of events with pUL31 binding to nucleocapsids and escorting them to the inner nuclear envelope. We propose a common mechanism for herpesviral nuclear egress: pUL31 is required for intranuclear translocation of nucleocapsids and subsequent interaction with pUL34 thereby coupling capsid maturation with primary envelopment.

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To analyze the subcellular trafficking of herpesvirus capsids, the small capsid protein has been labeled with different fluorescent proteins. Here, we analyzed the infectivity of several HSV1(17+) strains in which the N-terminal region of the non-essential small capsid protein VP26 had been tagged at different positions. While some variants replicated with similar kinetics as their parental wild type strain, others were not infectious at all. Improper tagging resulted in the aggregation of VP26 in the nucleus, prevented efficient nuclear egress of viral capsids, and thus virion formation. Correlative fluorescence and electron microscopy showed that these aggregates had sequestered several other viral proteins, but often did not contain viral capsids. The propensity for aggregate formation was influenced by the type of the fluorescent protein domain, the position of the inserted tag, the cell type, and the progression of infection. Among the tags that we have tested, mRFPVP26 had the lowest tendency to induce nuclear aggregates, and showed the least reduction in replication when compared to wild type. Our data suggest that bona fide monomeric fluorescent protein tags have less impact on proper assembly of HSV1 capsids and nuclear capsid egress than tags that tend to dimerize. Small chemical compounds capable of inducing aggregate formation of VP26 may lead to new antiviral drugs against HSV infections.