Herpesviruses and intermediate filaments: close encounters with the third type.
1Center for Immunobiology and Vaccine Development, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, 5700 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. lhertel@chori.org
Viruses
|October 14, 2011
Summary
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial for cell structure and function. This review explores how viruses, particularly herpesviruses, interact with IFs, impacting cellular processes and infection dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Intermediate filaments (IFs) are vital cytoskeletal components maintaining cellular integrity, organelle distribution, and protein localization.
- Pathogens frequently interact with IFs, influencing infection outcomes, though many IF functions and interactions remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review known and potential interactions between intermediate filaments (IFs) and viruses, with a focus on herpesviruses.
- To elucidate the roles of IFs in cellular processes and how viruses exploit these functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on intermediate filament-virus interactions.
- Analysis of herpesvirus life cycles in relation to cellular intermediate filament networks.
Main Results:
- Herpesviruses encounter diverse IF types across different host cells, suggesting broad interaction potential.
- IFs play roles in viral entry, trafficking, and potentially immune evasion, though specific mechanisms require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding IF-virus interactions offers insights into fundamental IF biology and viral pathogenesis.
- Targeting IFs presents a potential avenue for antiviral strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Types of Intermediate Filaments
The intermediate filaments are an essential component of the cytoskeleton. Presently six types of intermediate filament have been identified. Type I and II are acidic and basic keratin proteins. Type III is of mesodermal origin and comprises four proteins: vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and peripherin. Vimentin is commonly found in mesenchymal cells, desmin in muscle cells, GFAP in astrocytes, while peripherin is found in peripheral nervous system neurons (PNS). Type...
00:57Formation of Intermediate Filaments
Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal proteins with higher tensile strength and flexibility than microfilaments and microtubules. Unlike the other two cytoskeletal proteins, intermediate filament formation lacks the enzymatic activity to hydrolyze nucleotides like ATP and GTP to generate energy for polymerization. Therefore, the formation of intermediate filaments is multistep self-assembly. The involvement of any accessory proteins in intermediate filament formation has not yet been reported.
01:19The Structure of Intermediate Filaments
The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm). These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate filaments...
Intermediate filaments...
01:28Herpes
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
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...
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...