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Actin filaments in paramyxovirus-infected human fibroblasts studied by indirect immunofluorescence
Abstract:
Fibroblasts growing on glass have microfilaments arranged in bundles. These can be demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent technique using human antiactin serum or experimentally produced rabbit anti-actin serum. When monolayer cultures of epithelial cells and fibroblasts are infected with paramyxovirus, such as measles, mumps, Sendai and NDV, there is a striking decrease of the bundles. Rabies and adenoviruses do not seem to influence the staining of microfilaments. The microfilament decreasing effect in the cells correlates to the finding by SDS-polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis of actin within virions of the paramyxoviruses.
Insights
Certain viruses, like paramyxoviruses, disrupt actin microfilament bundles in cells. This viral effect on cell structure is linked to actin found within the viruses themselves.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fibroblast cells cultured on glass exhibit prominent actin microfilament bundles.
- These microfilament bundles can be visualized using indirect immunofluorescence with anti-actin antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of viral infections on the organization of actin microfilaments in cultured cells.
- To determine if specific virus families influence cellular actin structures.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence staining of actin microfilaments in cultured fibroblasts and epithelial cells.
- Infection of cell cultures with various viruses, including paramyxoviruses (measles, mumps, Sendai, NDV), rabies, and adenoviruses.
- SDS-polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to analyze viral proteins, specifically for the presence of actin.
Main Results:
- Paramyxovirus infections (measles, mumps, Sendai, NDV) caused a significant reduction in actin microfilament bundles in fibroblasts and epithelial cells.
- Rabies and adenoviruses did not appear to affect the staining intensity or organization of microfilaments.
- SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the presence of actin within the virions of paramyxoviruses.
Conclusions:
- Paramyxoviruses possess the ability to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton in host cells.
- The observed decrease in cellular microfilaments correlates with the incorporation of host or viral actin into paramyxovirions.
- This suggests a direct interaction between paramyxoviruses and the cellular actin cytoskeleton.