Role of cytoskeleton components in measles virus replication

Cellular factors have been indicated to be essential for the replication of Measles virus (MV), but the exact roles of these components are, however, not understood in detail. In this study, we investigated the role of actin and tubulin in productive MV infection by inducing disassembly of the microfilaments and microtubules. Vero cells were treated with latrunculin-A, which sequesters actin monomers, or nocodazole, which breaks the microtubules. The disruption of either of the structures efficiently inhibited the maturation of new infectious virus. Interestingly, virus spreading to neighboring cells still occurred by fusion and large syncytia typical for MV infection appeared. We also investigated a possible role for proteins of the ERM-family. Our results support an important role for actin filaments and microtubules for efficient MV replication.