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Transport Via Macropinocytic Vesicles is Crucial for Productive Infection with Bombyx Mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus

Jinshan Huang1,2, Chenya Li3, Xudong Tang3,4

  • 1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212018, Jiangsu, China. jshuang@just.edu.cn.

Viruses
|July 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) uses macropinocytosis to infect cells, not direct membrane fusion. Low pH-induced fusion prevents viral nucleocapsid transport, hindering productive infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a significant pathogen in sericulture.
  • The precise mechanism of BmNPV entry into host cells is not fully understood.
  • Previous studies suggest macropinocytic endocytosis as a potential entry route.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether direct membrane fusion (DMF) contributes to productive BmNPV infection.
  • To elucidate the role of low pH in BmNPV entry and infectivity.
  • To clarify the BmNPV cell entry pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated DMF infectivity induced by low pH during BmNPV infection.
  • Utilized an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-labeled virion to trace infectious viral particles.
  • Observed viral entry and intracellular transport using microscopy.

Main Results:

  • BmNPV infection induced fluid uptake, indicating macropinocytosis as a primary entry mechanism.
  • Direct membrane fusion (DMF) triggered by low pH abolished BmNPV infection.
  • Low pH is necessary but not sufficient for productive BmNPV infection via DMF.
  • DMF led to a failure in nucleocapsid transport to the nucleus.

Conclusions:

  • Macropinocytosis facilitates BmNPV entry into host cells and subsequent nuclear transport.
  • Direct membrane fusion is not a productive pathway for BmNPV infection.
  • This study clarifies the BmNPV entry mechanism, highlighting the importance of macropinocytosis.
Keywords:
baculovirusfusion proteininfectionmembrane fusion

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