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Pixuna virus modifies host cell cytoskeleton to secure infection
Pedro Ignacio Gil1, Guillermo Albrieu-Llinás1, Estela Cecilia Mlewski1,2
1Instituto de Virología "Dr. JM Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Scientific Reports
|July 20, 2017
Summary
Pixuna virus (PIXV) replication depends on cellular cytoskeleton dynamics. Intact microtubules are essential, while dynamic actin microfilaments are crucial for early PIXV replication stages.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pixuna virus (PIXV) is an alphavirus within the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus complex.
- Understanding viral replication mechanisms is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the cellular cytoskeleton, specifically actin microfilaments (MFs) and microtubules (MTs), in Pixuna virus replication.
Main Methods:
- Vero cells were infected with PIXV, and replication kinetics were analyzed.
- Cells were treated with cytoskeleton-binding agents (paclitaxel, nocodazole, cytochalasin D, jasplakinolide) to assess their impact on PIXV production.
- Morphological changes in MFs and MTs were observed in infected cells.
Main Results:
- PIXV replication involves a 4-hour eclipse phase and a 20-hour exponential phase.
- Disruption of microtubules using paclitaxel or nocodazole significantly impaired virus production.
- Disassembly of actin microfilaments with cytochalasin D during early replication significantly increased extracellular virus yields.
- Stabilization of the actin network with jasplakinolide had no significant effect on virus yields.
Conclusions:
- Pixuna virus requires intact microtubules for efficient replication.
- A dynamic actin network is essential during the early stages of Pixuna virus replication for optimal virus production.
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