Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization FISH
10:16

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization FISH

Published on: May 5, 2012

39.0K

Post-translational modifications and stabilization of microtubules regulate transport of viral factors during

Silvia Requena1, Francisco Sánchez-Madrid1,2,3, Noa B Martín-Cófreces1,2,3

  • 1Immunology Service, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, UAM, IIS-IP, Madrid 28006, Spain.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|August 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Microtubules (MTs) are crucial for cell transport and function. Viruses exploit MTs and their modifications for infection, impacting cellular processes and immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic polymers essential for intracellular transport, cell division, and immune responses.
  • Tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs) and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) regulate MT stability and function.
  • Viruses hijack cellular machinery, including MTs, to facilitate their replication and spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how viruses exploit MTs and tubulin PTMs for their life cycle.
  • To highlight the role of MT dynamics in viral pathogenesis and immune evasion.
  • To provide a perspective on MT-related strategies used by viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microtubule dynamics, tubulin PTMs, and viral infections.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which viruses interact with and manipulate the MT cytoskeleton.
  • Synthesis of information on the consequences of viral-induced MT alterations.

Main Results:

  • Viruses utilize MTs for transport, assembly, and egress.
  • Viral infections can alter tubulin PTMs to enhance viral spread and pathogenesis.
  • MT manipulation by viruses impacts cellular functions and immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • Microtubules and their modifications are critical targets for viral exploitation.
  • Understanding these interactions is key to developing antiviral strategies.
  • Further research into virus-MT interplay can reveal novel therapeutic avenues.
Keywords:
HIVmicrotubulemicrotubule-associated proteinspost-translational modificationstubulin

More Related Videos

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism09:05

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

7.7K
Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV14:40

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

Published on: March 5, 2022

3.5K

Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
5.4K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
3.0K
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
3.0K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
5.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.2K
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
6.6K