Intracellular Localization of Core and Envelope Proteins of Venezuelan Encephalitis Virus by Immunofluorescence

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Abstract
Envelope and core proteins of Venezuelan encephalitis virus were detected by indirect fluorescent antibody staining in cultured primary hamster embryonic cells infected under single-cycle conditions. Antibody to purified core protein stained the entire cytoplasm at 7 h postinfection, but never the outer surface of the plasma membrane. By 24 h postinfection, when cytopathic effects were extensive, core protein was present as cytoplasmic granules. Antibody to purified envelope proteins stained a single bright perinuclear area in less brightly fluorescing cytoplasm at 7 h postinfection and plasma membranes at 8 h postinfection. The perinuclear location of Venezuelan encephalitis virus envelope glycoproteins was interpreted as involving the Golgi apparatus which is a known location of intracellular glycoprotein synthesis. The Golgi apparatus is apparently a source of the smooth membranes with which .alpha.-virus envelope proteins were associated after cell fractionation.