Interaction of vaccinia virus with the actin cytoskeleton
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Methodology for the Efficient Generation of Fluorescently Tagged Vaccinia Virus Proteins
Published on: January 17, 2014
1Cell Biology Programme, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany. Way@EMBL-Heidelberg.de
Abstract:
Vaccinia virus infection results in large rearrangements of the host actin cytoskeleton including the formation of actin tails that are strikingly similar to those seen in Listeria, Shigella and Rickettsia infections. Using actin polymerization as the driving force the intracellular enveloped form of the vaccinia virus (IEV) is propelled on the tip of actin tails at a speed of 2.8 microns/min, both intra- and intercellularly. The similarities between the actin-based motility of the vaccinia virus, Listeria, Shigella and Rickettsia suggest that intracellular pathogens have developed a common strategy to exploit the actin cytoskeleton of the host to facilitate their intercellular spread. This review focuses on our current understanding of the interactions between the vaccinia virus and the actin cytoskeleton.
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...
Actin Filament Depolymerization
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

