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Control of Capsid Transformations during Reovirus Entry

Stephanie L Gummersheimer1, Anthony J Snyder1, Pranav Danthi1

  • 1Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.

Viruses
|January 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) capsid proteins control viral entry by undergoing structural changes. Host membranes also play a role in reovirus capsid remodeling for cell entry.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) is a double-stranded RNA virus with a complex, multilayered capsid.
  • Reovirus serves as a model system for understanding viral entry mechanisms of similar viruses.
  • The reovirus capsid undergoes significant structural transformations during the entry process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of reovirus capsid proteins and their interactions in controlling capsid stability.
  • To highlight the structural changes in the reovirus capsid necessary for cell entry.
  • To discuss the proviral role of host membranes in viral entry.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on reovirus structure and entry.
  • It focuses on analyzing capsid protein functions and interactions.
  • It examines the influence of host cell membranes on viral capsid remodeling.

Main Results:

  • The outermost reovirus capsid layer processes into a metastable intermediate.
  • Further capsid remodeling generates an entry-competent particle delivering the genome-containing core into the cytoplasm.
  • Host membranes actively promote capsid conformational changes essential for entry.

Conclusions:

  • Capsid protein interactions are critical for regulating reovirus structural transitions during entry.
  • Host membranes are not passive barriers but actively facilitate viral entry.
  • Further research is needed to fill knowledge gaps regarding reovirus entry mechanisms.
Keywords:
capsidcell entryreovirus

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