The product of the vaccinia virus L5R gene is a fourth membrane protein encoded by all poxviruses that is required for cell entry and cell-cell fusion.

ABSTRACT: The L5R gene of vaccinia virus is conserved among all sequenced members of the Poxviridae but has no predicted function or recognized nonpoxvirus homolog. Here we provide the initial characterization of the L5 protein. L5 is expressed following DNA replication with kinetics typical of a viral late protein, contains a single intramolecular disulfide bond formed by the virus-encoded cytoplasmic redox pathway, and is incorporated into intracellular mature virus particles, where it is exposed on the membrane surface. To determine whether L5 is essential for virus replication, we constructed a mutant that synthesizes L5 only in the presence of an inducer. The mutant exhibited a conditional-lethal phenotype, as cell-to-cell virus spread and formation of infectious progeny were dependent on the i

SUBMITTER: Townsley AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1193616 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature