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Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
Published on: August 21, 2017
[How polyomavirus crosses the endoplasmic reticulum membrane to gain entry into the cytosol]
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA.
Abstract:
Polyomavirus (Py) is a non-enveloped, double stranded DNA virus that causes a myriad of devastating human diseases for immunocompromised individuals. To cause infection, Py binds to its receptors on the plasma membrane, is endocytosed, and sorts to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). From here, Py penetrates the ER membrane to reach the cytosol. Ensuing nuclear entry enables the virus to cause infection. How Py penetrates the ER membrane to access the cytosol is a decisive infection step that is enigmatic. In this review, I highlight the mechanisms by which host cell functions facilitate Py translocation across the ER membrane into the cytosol.
Insights
Polyomavirus (Py) infection involves translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. This review details how host cell functions facilitate this critical viral entry step into the cytosol.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Polyomavirus (Py) is a double-stranded DNA virus causing severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals.
- Viral infection requires entry into the host cell's cytosol, often involving translocation across cellular membranes.
Purpose:
- To review the enigmatic mechanisms of Polyomavirus translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane.
- To highlight the role of host cell functions in facilitating Py entry into the cytosol.
Summary:
- Polyomavirus initiates infection by binding to cell receptors, undergoing endocytosis, and trafficking to the ER.
- The critical, yet poorly understood, step involves Py penetrating the ER membrane to reach the cytosol.
- Host cell machinery and functions are essential for mediating this ER membrane translocation.
Impact:
- Understanding Py ER membrane penetration is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
- Elucidating host-pathogen interactions at the ER membrane can inform treatments for Py-associated diseases.
- This review consolidates current knowledge on a key step in Polyomavirus pathogenesis.
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