Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: October 28, 2019
Involvement of autophagy in coronavirus replication
1Avian Viral Diseases, The Pirbright Institute, Compton Laboratory, High Street, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, UK. helena.maier@pirbright.ac.uk
Coronaviruses rearrange host cell membranes to form double-membrane vesicles, crucial for viral replication. Autophagy, including the protein LC3, plays a role in this process and coronavirus replication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Coronaviruses are positive-sense RNA viruses.
- Viral infection triggers host cell membrane rearrangements.
- These rearrangements form platforms for viral replication complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review coronavirus-induced membrane rearrangements.
- To examine the role of autophagy in coronavirus replication.
- To investigate the involvement of microtubule-associated protein 1B light chain 3 (LC3).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on coronavirus replication.
- Analysis of cellular membrane structures in infected cells.
- Examination of the autophagy pathway's role.
Main Results:
- Coronaviruses induce the formation of double-membrane vesicles.
- These vesicles resemble cellular autophagosomes.
- Coronavirus infection induces autophagy and involves LC3 protein.
Conclusions:
- Coronavirus replication relies on induced membrane rearrangements.
- Autophagy and its protein LC3 are implicated in efficient viral RNA synthesis.
- Understanding these mechanisms is key to antiviral strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Autophagy
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
Autophagic Cell Death
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

