RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Ziegler, Christopher M. A1 Bruce, Emily A. A1 Kelly, Jamie A. A1 King, Benjamin R. A1 Botten, Jason W.YR 2018 T1 The use of novel epitope-tagged arenaviruses reveals that Rab5c-positive endosomal membranes are targeted by the LCMV matrix protein JF Journal of General Virology, VO 99 IS 2 SP 187 OP 193 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001004 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB We report the development of recombinant New World (Junín; JUNV) and Old World (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; LCMV) mammarenaviruses that encode an HA-tagged matrix protein (Z). These viruses permit the robust affinity purification of Z from infected cells or virions, as well as the detection of Z by immunofluorescent microscopy. Importantly, the HA-tagged viruses grow with wild-type kinetics in a multi-cycle growth assay. Using these viruses, we report a novel description of JUNV Z localization in infected cells, as well as the first description of colocalization between LCMV Z and the GTPase Rab5c. This latter result, when combined with our previous findings that LCMV genome and glycoprotein also colocalize with Rab5c, suggest that LCMV may target Rab5c-positive membranes for preassembly of virus particles prior to budding. The recombinant viruses reported here will provide the field with new tools to better study Z protein functionality and identify key Z protein interactions with host machinery., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.001004