Quantitative Imaging Analysis of Nuclear Viral Components Dynamics in Human Adenovirus Infection
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Immunology and Infectious Disease
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viral replication
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Abstract
Human adenoviruses (AdV) are double-stranded DNA viruses within the Mastadenovirus genus that cause mild respiratory and gastrointestinal infections but can lead to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals. Beyond their clinical implications, AdV serves as a model system for gene therapy, vaccine development, and oncolytic virotherapy. However, fundamental questions about viral particle packaging during infection remain unresolved. Recent work has shown that packaging of these viral particles is dependent on nuclear biomolecular condensates, termed nuclear bodies (NBs), mediated by the viral protein 52K. NBs appear to be spatially linked to viral replication compartments (VRCs), which may serve a crucial function in coordinating genome replication and viral particle assembly. This project seeks to elucidate the spatial and temporal dynamics of NBs and VRCs during AdV infection using live-cell imaging. By generating a new fluorescent host cell line to match available viral constructs, we aim to establish a dual-color system to visualize NB-VRC interactions in real time. Quantitative image analysis will be performed to assess spatial relationships, colocalization, and dynamic changes over time. This study will address key questions about when, where, and how NBs form and associate with VRCs during infection, providing insights into the mechanisms of adenoviral genome replication and packaging.