RASCAL is a new human cytomegalovirus-encoded protein that localizes to the nuclear lamina and in cytoplasmic vesicles at late times postinfection.

ABSTRACT: The products of numerous open reading frames (ORFs) present in the genome of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) have not been characterized. Here, we describe the identification of a new CMV protein localizing to the nuclear envelope and in cytoplasmic vesicles at late times postinfection. Based on this distinctive localization pattern, we called this new protein nuclear rim-associated cytomegaloviral protein, or RASCAL. Two RASCAL isoforms exist, a short version of 97 amino acids encoded by the majority of CMV strains and a longer version of 176 amino acids encoded by the Towne, Toledo, HAN20, and HAN38 strains. Both isoforms colocalize with lamin B in deep intranuclear invaginations of the inner nuclear membrane (INM) and in novel cytoplasmic vesicular structures possibly derived from the nucle

SUBMITTER: Miller MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2903262 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature