Alphaherpesviruses such as Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) and Varizella Zoster Virus establish life-long infections in sensory nerve ganglia. We have identified specific isoforms of the nuclear transport factor importin α which are unexpectedly recruited by incoming viral capsids for both, long-distance axonal transport as well as specific targeting to the nucleus. Our data indicate the HSV-1 large tegument protein pUL36 coordinates the functions of axonal transport motors and importin α and its cofactor importin β to targeting the largest known cargo of these cellular machines, the herpesvirus capsids to the nuclear pores.
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