Independent Regulation of Reovirus Membrane Penetration and Apoptosis by the μ1 ϕ Domain
2008

Reovirus Membrane Penetration and Apoptosis Regulation

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Author Information

Author(s): Danthi Pranav, Coffey Caroline M., Parker John S. L., Abel Ty W., Dermody Terence S.

Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Membrane penetration by reovirus results in the delivery of the μ1 ϕ domain into the cytosol where it activates a cellular trigger to induce apoptosis.

Conclusion

The μ1 ϕ domain of reovirus plays a critical role in both membrane penetration and the induction of apoptosis following infection.

Supporting Evidence

  • The μ1 ϕ domain is sufficient to elicit a cell death response.
  • Mutations in the μ1 ϕ domain diminish reovirus membrane penetration efficiency.
  • Apoptosis-defective ϕ mutant viruses display diminished neurovirulence following intracranial inoculation of newborn mice.
  • The study highlights an important role for the μ1 ϕ domain in both membrane penetration and apoptosis induction.

Takeaway

Reovirus can enter cells and cause them to die, and a specific part of the virus helps it do both things.

Methodology

The study involved generating mutant viruses and analyzing their capacity to penetrate membranes and induce apoptosis in cultured cells and in newborn mice.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000248

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