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Influenza virus effects on cell membrane proteins
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 9, 1970
Summary
Influenza virus infection incorporates viral proteins into host cell membranes. These viral proteins fully replace host proteins at budding sites on the plasma membrane for new virus release.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Influenza virus infection involves viral protein integration into host cellular membranes.
- Understanding the precise localization and replacement of host proteins by viral proteins is crucial for comprehending viral replication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the integration of influenza viral proteins into host cell membranes during infection.
- To determine the extent of host cell protein replacement by viral proteins at sites of viral budding.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of host cell membranes (plasma, nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal) following influenza virus infection.
- Biochemical characterization of purified influenza virus particles to quantify host cell protein content.
Main Results:
- Viral proteins are firmly associated with or integrated into host plasma, nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal membranes.
- Purified influenza virus particles are composed of less than 1% host cell protein.
- Virus envelope proteins completely displace host membrane proteins at the specific plasma membrane locations where progeny virions bud.
Conclusions:
- Influenza virus actively remodels host cell membranes by integrating its own proteins.
- The specific replacement of host proteins by viral proteins at budding sites is a key mechanism for efficient viral particle formation and release.