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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Myosin-Specific Adaptations of In vitro Fluorescence Microscopy-Based Motility Assays
Published on: February 4, 2021
Myosin motors on the pathway of viral infections
Tais Matozo1, Leticia Kogachi1, Bruna Cunha de Alencar1
1Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Molecular motors are microscopic machines that use energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis to generate movement. While kinesins and dynein are molecular motors associated with microtubule tracks, myosins bind to and move on actin filaments. Mammalian cells express several myosin motors. They power cellular processes such as endo- and exocytosis, intracellular trafficking, transcription, migration, and cytokinesis. As viruses navigate through cells, they may take advantage or be hindered by host components and machinery, including the cytoskeleton. This review delves into myosins' cell roles and compares them to their reported functions in viral infections. In most cases, the previously described myosin functions align with their reported role in viral infections, although not in all cases. This opens the possibility that knowledge obtained from studying myosins in viral infections might shed light on new physiological roles for myosins in cells. However, given the high number of myosins expressed and the variety of viruses investigated in the different studies, it is challenging to infer whether the interactions found are specific to a single virus or can be applied to other viruses with the same characteristics. We conclude that the participation of myosins in viral cycles is still a largely unexplored area, especially concerning unconventional myosins.
Insights
Molecular motors called myosins move on actin filaments and power cell functions. This review explores their roles in viral infections, finding overlaps but highlighting unexplored areas, especially for unconventional myosins.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Myosins are essential molecular motors that utilize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis for movement along actin filaments.
- They are crucial for various cellular processes including intracellular trafficking, migration, and cytokinesis in mammalian cells.
- Viruses interact with host cell machinery, including the cytoskeleton, during their replication cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known cellular functions of myosins.
- To compare these functions with their reported roles in viral infections.
- To identify potential new physiological roles for myosins suggested by their involvement in viral pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on myosin functions in cellular processes.
- Literature review of studies investigating myosin involvement in viral infections.
- Comparative analysis of myosin cellular roles and their functions in virus-host interactions.
Main Results:
- Myosin functions in cellular processes largely align with their roles in viral infections.
- Specific myosin-host interactions are observed across various viruses.
- Challenges exist in determining the specificity of these interactions for particular viruses or myosin types.
Conclusions:
- The involvement of myosins in viral life cycles is an understudied area.
- Further research is needed, particularly concerning unconventional myosins.
- Understanding myosin roles in viral infections may reveal novel cellular functions.
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