Figure 12. The carboxyl-terminal R motif in capsid protein is required to block apoptosis during RV infection.

A. A549 cells were infected with wild type (WT) or CR5A strains of RV (MOI = 1) and 42 hours later, cells were treated with anti-Fas to induce apoptosis. Cells were processed for indirect immunofluorescence using rabbit anti-caspase 3 and mouse anti-capsid. The average number of double-positive cells for each experimental condition was determined from three independent experiments and the results were plotted. *p≤0.005, **p≤0.001. B. Vero cells were infected with WT or CR5A strains of RV (MOI = 1). At the indicated times, cell lysates (60 µg) were subjected to immunoblot analyses using antibodies to p150, capsid, E1 and GAPDH (loading control). C. Cell culture supernatants from infected Vero cells were centrifuged at 100,000× g and the pellets were subjected to immunoblot analyses using antibodies to capsid. D. Relative levels of genomic viral RNA (gRNA) in the infected Vero cells were determined by qRT-PCR at the indicated time periods. E. RK13 cells were infected with wild type WT or CR5A strains of RV and plaque assays were performed. The CR5A-derived plaques are much larger and have a spotty appearance.