Fig. 5

Detailed fluorescence images obtained by confocal laser microscope in rMCMV1373-infected primary neuronal cultures as shown in Fig. 4. The images demonstrate the distinct co-localization of EGFP and the neuronal marker (a–c) but not the astrocyte marker (d–f). a A fluorescence image of EGFP. b Immunofluorescence for MAP2 (red) in the same field as a. MAP2 is expressed in numerous primary neuron dendrites and somas. c A merged image of a and b. EGFP⁺ areas appear yellowish because of the co-localization of EGFP and MAP2, indicating that e1-pro-1373 is distinctly activated in neurons, as demonstrated in Fig. 4. Nuclei are stained with DAPI. d Another fluorescence image of EGFP. e Immunofluorescence for GFAP (red) in the same field as d. GFAP is expressed in differentiated astrocytes with a coral-like shape, as demonstrated in Fig. 4. f A merged image of d and e. EGFP is not co-localized with GFAP, indicating that the activation of e1-pro-1373 does not occur in differentiated astrocytes. Nuclei are stained with DAPI. Scale bars: a–c 50 µm; d–f 75 µm