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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
08:34
Highly Sensitive Assay for Measurement of Arenavirus-cell Attachment
Published on: March 2, 2016
Involvement of cytoskeleton in Junín virus entry
M Guadalupe Martinez1, Sandra M Cordo, Nélida A Candurra
1Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UBA, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Piso 4, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Virus Research
|September 16, 2008
Summary
Junín virus (JUNV) entry into cells requires an intact actin network and dynamic microtubules. Disrupting microfilaments or stabilizing microtubules significantly inhibited early JUNV infection stages.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Early events in Junín virus (JUNV) infection remain poorly understood.
- Previous research established JUNV entry via clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microfilaments and microtubules in early JUNV infection.
- To analyze the impact of cytoskeletal modulators on JUNV entry into Vero cells.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of Vero cells with drugs affecting microfilaments and microtubules.
- Assessment of JUNV entry inhibition by cytoskeletal disruption.
- Quantification of viral RNA using real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Disruption of microfilaments or stabilization of microtubules inhibited JUNV entry.
- Depolymerizing microfilaments reduced viral RNA by over 10-fold.
- Stabilizing microtubules diminished viral RNA by over 100-fold.
Conclusions:
- JUNV early infection in Vero cells depends on an intact actin network.
- A dynamic microtubule network is also crucial for efficient JUNV entry.
- These findings contribute to understanding the arenavirus multiplication cycle.
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