A cell culture model of facial palsy resulting from reactivation of latent herpes simplex type 1.

Hypothesis: Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in geniculate ganglion neurons (GGNs) is an etiologic mechanism of Bell's palsy (BP) and delayed facial palsy (DFP) after otologic surgery.

Background: Several clinical studies, including temporal bone studies, antibody, titers, and intraoperative studies, suggest that reactivation of HSV-1 from latently infected GGNs may lead to both BP and DFP. However, it is difficult to study these processes in humans or live animals.

The Exo70 subunit of the exocyst is an effector for both Cdc42 and Rho3 function in polarized exocytosis.

The Rho3 and Cdc42 members of the Rho GTPase family are important regulators of exocytosis in yeast. However, the precise mechanism by which they regulate this process is controversial. Here, we present evidence that the Exo70 component of the exocyst complex is a direct effector of both Rho3 and Cdc42.