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Entry and Disassembly of Large DNA Viruses: Electron Microscopy Leads the Way
Emmanuelle R Quemin1, Simon Corroyer-Dulmont1, Jacomine Krijnse-Locker1
1Ultra-structural Bio-Imaging (UBI), Center for Innovation and Technological Research (CITECH) and Department of Cell Biology and Infection, Institut Pasteur-28, rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|April 28, 2018
Summary
Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses like Vaccinia virus (VACV) and Mimivirus enter host cells through diverse mechanisms. Further research using advanced microscopy is needed to fully elucidate VACV entry and uncoating processes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses are a growing group with large genomes and particles.
- Understanding their entry mechanisms into host cells is crucial.
- Key examples include Vaccinia virus (VACV) and Mimivirus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the entry mechanisms of VACV and Mimivirus.
- To highlight the need for advanced microscopy techniques to study viral entry and uncoating.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on viral entry.
- Analysis of biochemical and morphological data.
- Discussion of electron microscopy (EM) and correlated light and electron microscopy (CLEM) findings.
Main Results:
- VACV entry may involve macropinocytosis, direct fusion, or endocytosis, with EM supporting parallel entry routes.
- Giant viruses like Mimivirus exclusively enter via phagocytosis, with specific mechanisms for particle opening and genome delivery.
- VACV core uncoating remains poorly understood morphologically.
Conclusions:
- VACV and Mimivirus exhibit distinct entry strategies.
- Correlated light and electron microscopy are essential for detailed study of VACV entry and uncoating.
- Further EM studies should investigate the impact of single versus aggregated viral particle entry.
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