Fig. 2: DDX3X modulates HSV-1 exit from the perinuclear space.

HeLa cells were seeded on 6-well plates and treated with a control non-targeting NC1 or b siDDX3X for 48 h then infected with wild-type strain 17⁺ virus at an MOI of 5. At 12 hpi, cells were fixed and prepared for electron microscopy (see Methods). The images show whole cell views with zooms on A-, B- and C-nuclear capsids as well as viral particles in the cytoplasm and the cell surface. c Fourteen cells were randomly selected from each infected condition in two independent experiments (N1; N2). A-, B- and C-nuclear capsids as well as viral particles in perinuclear space (PNS), cytoplasm and extracellular space were counted. The percentages (±standard error of the means) refer to the relative amounts of nuclear capsids (% Nuclear capsids) or the total viral particles containing the viral genome (% DNA-filled particles, i.e., C-capsids, perinuclear virions, cytoplasmic viral particles, and extracellular virus). Bilateral Student T-tests were performed. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01.