Super-Resolution Microscopy of Cells Expressing Rhabdovirus Proteins

Interferon (IFN)-mediated immunity is a central mode of defense against viral infection and evasion of this immune response is critical to the pathogenicity of viruses. IFN-antagonist proteins have recently been shown to interact with host microtubules (MTs) demonstrating a novel mechanism for subverting the IFN response (1). Using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy we have imaged the association of the IFN-antagonist protein with host cell MTs and the consequent changes to the architecture of the cell cytoskeleton.Super resolution imaging was achieved using the dSTORM approach on a home-built set-up. dSTORM imaging of MT architecture in cells expressing Rhabdovirus proteins has allowed previously unobservable changes caused by the IFN-antagonist proteins to be detected. Transfected cells COS7 cells labeled with Alexa 647 (Figure - left panel) show a high degree of bundling and abnormal curvature of the microtubule skeleton. In contrast, healthy control cells (Figure - center panel) show normal microtubule architecture.(1) K.G. Lieu, A. Brice, L. Wiltzer, B. Hirst, D.A. Jans, D. Blondel and G.W. Moseley, Journal of Virology, (2013) doi: 10/1128/JVI.00989-13.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide