Visualizing Nudivirus Assembly and Egress

Abstract

The dynamics of nuclear envelope has a critical role in multiple cellular processes. However, little is known regarding the structural changes occurring inside the nucleus or at the inner and outer nuclear membranes. For viruses assembling inside the nucleus, remodeling of the intranuclear membrane plays an important role in the process of virion assembly. Here, we monitored the changes associated with viral infection in the case of nudiviruses. Our data revealed dramatic membrane remodeling inside the nuclear compartment during infection with Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus , an important biocontrol agent against coconut rhinoceros beetle, a devastating pest for coconut and oil palm trees. Based on these findings, we propose a model for nudivirus assembly in which nuclear packaging occurs in fully enveloped virions.