Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025
09:19
Analysis of SNARE-mediated Membrane Fusion Using an Enzymatic Cell Fusion Assay
Published on: October 19, 2012
14.1K
Megaviruses contain various genes encoding for eukaryotic vesicle trafficking factors
Dany Khalifeh1, Emilie Neveu1, Dirk Fasshauer1
1Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
|June 14, 2022
Summary
Giant viruses possess genes for SNARE proteins, crucial for vesicle trafficking. These viruses, like some bacteria, may manipulate host cell transport for their own replication and survival.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Intracellular pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, invade host cells via phagocytosis.
- Pathogens modify host vesicle trafficking to evade degradation within phagosomes.
- Bacterial strategies are known, but viral interference with vesicle trafficking remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether giant viruses encode proteins involved in host vesicle trafficking.
- To explore the potential role of viral SNARE proteins in modulating cellular transport.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of giant virus genomes for trafficking-related genes.
- Biochemical experiments to assess the function of viral SNARE proteins.
- Identification of other viral trafficking factors like NSF, SM, and Rab proteins.
Main Results:
- Discovery of SNARE proteins and other key trafficking factors (NSF, SM, Rab) in diverse giant virus genomes.
- Biochemical validation that viral SNARE proteins can form functional SNARE complexes.
- Evidence suggests multiple independent acquisitions of these trafficking factors by viruses.
Conclusions:
- Giant viruses possess a genetic repertoire for manipulating host vesicle trafficking.
- Viral SNARE proteins are likely functional and contribute to the viral lifecycle.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms during infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
3.7K
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
3.7K
01:43SNAREs and Membrane Fusion
11.0K
Once a transport vesicle has recognized its target organelle, the vesicular membrane needs to fuse with the target membrane to unload the cargo. Transmembrane proteins called SNAREs present on organelle membranes and their vesicles, mediate vesicle fusion.
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
11.0K
01:45Vesicular Tubular Clusters
2.6K
After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
With the help of motor proteins such...
With the help of motor proteins such...
2.6K
02:33Retroviruses
12.7K
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’...
12.7K
01:33Overview of Secretory Vesicles
8.6K
Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
8.6K
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
2.9K
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...
2.9K