Respiratory syncytial virus assembles into structured filamentous virion particles independently of host cytoskeleton and related proteins.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that assembles into viral filaments at the cell surface. Virus assembly often depends on the ability of a virus to use host proteins to accomplish viral tasks. Since the fusion protein cytoplasmic tail (FCT) is critical for viral filamentous assembly, we hypothesized that host proteins important for viral assembly may be recruited by the FCT. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we found that filamin A interacted with FCT, and mammalian cell experiments showed it localized to viral filaments but did not affect viral replication. Furthermore, we found that a number of actin-associated proteins also were excluded from viral filaments. Actin or tubulin cytoskeletal rearrangement was not necessary for F trafficking to the cell surface or for viral assembly into filaments, but was necessary for optimal viral replication and may be important for anchoring viral filaments. These findings suggest that RSV assembly into filaments occurs independently of actin polymerization and that viral proteins are the principal drivers for the mechanical tasks involved with formation of complex, structured RSV filaments at the host cell plasma membrane.
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
Fyza Y
FY
Shaikh
Thomas J
TJ
Utley
Ryan E
RE
Craven
Meredith C
MC
Rogers
Lynne A
LA
Lapierre
James R
JR
Goldenring
James E
JE
Crowe
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003285:Contractile Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D064448:Filamins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000502:physiology*; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D014771:Virion / Q000378:metabolism*; D019065:Virus Assembly / Q000502:physiology*
D003285:Contractile Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D064448:Filamins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins