A human cell polarity protein Lgl2 regulates influenza A virus nucleoprotein exportation from nucleus in MDCK cells

ABSTRACT

In this study, the regulatory effect of the overexpression of polarity protein Lgl2 on the nuclear export ofinfluenza A virus nucleoprotein in infected cells was investigated. A stable Tet-Off inducible MDCK cell lineexpressing a fusion protein comprising Lgl2 and an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein were used. TCID50analysis and neuraminidase activity analysis revealed that replication of influenza A virus was inhibited in Lgl2overexpressing cells. By immunofluorescence microscopical observation at different time point post virusinfection, a retention of NP in cellular nucleus was found in Lgl2 overexpressing cells. Compared with normalMDCK cells, change in claudin-1 distribution between cell contacts caused by Lgl2 overexpression impairedthe barrier function of tight junction. These results suggest that changes in cell polarity induced by Lgl2overexpressing will affect virus NP transportation.