Subversion of CtBP1-controlled macropinocytosis by human adenovirus serotype 3

Beat Amstutz1, Michele Gastaldelli, Stefan Kälin

  • 1Institute of Zoology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

The EMBO Journal
|March 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Human adenovirus serotype 3 (Ad3) rapidly infects cells via macropinocytosis, a dynamin-independent pathway. This process requires viral activation of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and C-terminal binding protein 1 (CtBP1) for infectious entry.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Endocytosis is crucial for cellular processes including communication, growth, and pathogen invasion.
  • Human adenovirus serotype 3 (Ad3) causes severe respiratory and systemic diseases, including epidemic conjunctivitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of Ad3 entry into host cells.
  • To investigate the role of specific cellular pathways and proteins in Ad3 infection.

Main Methods:

  • Studied Ad3 entry into epithelial and haematopoietic cells, comparing it with Ad5.
  • Utilized macropinocytosis inhibitors and analyzed the involvement of F-actin, protein kinase C, sodium-proton exchanger, Rac1, Cdc42, p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), and C-terminal binding protein 1 (CtBP1).
  • Investigated the interaction of Ad3 receptors (CD46, alpha v integrins) within macropinosomes.

Main Results:

  • Ad3 utilizes a rapid, dynamin-independent endocytosis pathway that coincides with enhanced fluid-phase uptake (macropinocytosis).
  • Ad3 infection depends on viral activation of PAK1 and CtBP1, which are recruited to macropinosomes containing Ad3 receptors.
  • A phosphorylation-defective CtBP1 mutant (S147A-CtBP1) specifically blocked Ad3, but not Ad5, infection, confirming a direct link between PAK1 and CtBP1 in Ad3 entry.

Conclusions:

  • Viruses, like Ad3, can hijack and induce macropinocytosis for efficient infectious entry.
  • This study reveals a novel mechanism of viral entry involving PAK1 and CtBP1 activation during macropinocytosis.
  • The findings highlight macropinocytosis as a critical pathway for viral pathogenesis, with implications for antigen presentation and cell migration.