Journal of Veterinary Science  2013;14(3):307-313

doi:10.4142/jvs.2013.14.3.307

The signal sequence of type II porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus glycoprotein 3 is sufficient for endoplasmic reticulum retention.

Do Geun KIM 1 ; Chang Seon SONG ; In Soo CHOI ; Seung Yong PARK ; Joong Bok LEE ; Sang Soo LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

endoplasmic reticulum; glycoprotein 3; porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus; retention signal; signal sequence

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

The glycoprotein 3 (GP3) of type II porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus has the characteristic domains of a membrane protein. However, this protein has been reported to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) rather than transported to the plasma membrane of the cell. In this study, we performed confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of variants of GP3 and foundthat the signal sequence of the GP3 led to confinement of GP3 in the ER, while the functional ortransmembrane domain did not affect its localization. Based on these results, we concludedthat the signal sequence of GP3 contains the ER retention signal, which might play an important role in assembly of viral proteins.