Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
09:13
Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
Published on: November 1, 2011
17.9K
Replication of a Nipah Virus Encoding a Nuclear-Retained Matrix Protein
Marc Ringel1, Laura Behner1, Anja Heiner1
1Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|October 31, 2019
Summary
Nipah virus matrix protein (NiV M) nuclear import is essential for cell surface transport. Nuclear-retained NiV M impairs virus assembly and formation of plasma membrane inclusions, suggesting nuclear transit is critical.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nipah virus (NiV) matrix protein (NiV M) is crucial for viral assembly, involving nuclear transit and plasma membrane accumulation.
- The necessity of nuclear transit for NiV M surface transport and its role in different cell types remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if NiV M can reach the cell surface by bypassing the nucleus.
- To characterize the impact of nuclear-retained NiV M on viral assembly and infectivity in a full viral context.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mutant NiV M protein with a defective nuclear export signal (MNESmut) to assess nuclear import.
- Generated a recombinant NiV expressing MNESmut (NiV-MNESmut) to study its effects in infected cells.
- Analyzed viral assembly, cell-cell fusion, virus titers, and inclusion body formation.
Main Results:
- Nuclear import of NiV M is ubiquitous, as MNESmut was retained in the nuclei of all tested cell types.
- NiV-MNESmut exhibited increased cell-cell fusion and reduced virus titers, indicating impaired viral assembly.
- Perinuclear inclusions (IBperi) were observed, but plasma membrane inclusions (IBPM) were absent in NiV-MNESmut infected cells.
- Transport-defective MNESmut was recruited to IBperi, preventing cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Functional nuclear transit of NiV M is a prerequisite for its transport to the cell surface and efficient viral assembly.
- Perinuclear inclusions (IBperi) serve as functionally relevant aggresome-like compartments that sequester nonfunctional NiV M.
- These findings highlight the critical role of nuclear trafficking in the Nipah virus life cycle.
Related Concept Videos
02:28Leaky Scanning
5.6K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.6K
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
674
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
674
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
49.1K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
49.1K
02:33Retroviruses
14.5K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
14.5K
01:29Subviral Agents
437
Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...
437
00:56Viral Structure
73.6K
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
73.6K