Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
09:20
In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 23, 2010
The cytoskeleton in papillomavirus infection
Malgorzata Bienkowska-Haba1,2, Martin Sapp1,2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
Viruses
|October 14, 2011
Summary
Papillomaviruses (PV) hijack host cell cytoskeleton for transport and genome segregation. Understanding these interactions is key to developing antiviral strategies against PV infections.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The cytoskeleton provides cell structure and facilitates movement.
- Papillomaviruses (PV) are viruses that infect epithelial cells and can cause tumors.
- Viruses often exploit host cell machinery for their life cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on papillomavirus interactions with the host cell cytoskeleton.
- To highlight the role of cytoskeletal elements in PV infection and replication.
Main Methods:
- This is a mini-review, summarizing existing research.
- Analysis of published literature on PV and host cell cytoskeleton interactions.
Main Results:
- PV particles utilize filopodia for entry and microtubules/dynein for intracellular transport.
- Viral genome segregation during mitosis is dependent on host cell machinery.
- High-risk human PV oncoproteins E6 and E7 may interfere with viral genome partitioning.
Conclusions:
- Papillomaviruses extensively interact with and manipulate the host cytoskeleton.
- Cytoskeletal involvement is crucial for PV entry, transport, and replication.
- Further research into these interactions could reveal new therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...
01:35Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...
01:17Studying the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
01:23Microtubule Formation
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo continuous assembly and disassembly. They originate from specialized multi-protein complexes known as microtubule organizing centers or MTOCs. Within the MTOC, the point of origin of the microtubule is known as the minus end, while the end radiating outward is the plus end. Microtubules serve two primary functions — the organization of spindle complexes to separate sister chromatids during mitotic or meiotic cell division and the formation of...