The Dynactin Complex Enhances the Speed of Microtubule-Dependent Motions of Adenovirus Both Towards and Away from the Nucleus
2011

How Dynactin Helps Adenovirus Move Inside Cells

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Engelke Martin F., Burckhardt Christoph J., Morf Matthias K., Greber Urs F.

Primary Institution: Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich

Hypothesis

Does dynactin play a specific role in the cytoplasmic trafficking of adenovirus on microtubules?

Conclusion

Dynactin enhances adenovirus infection by increasing the speed and efficiency of dynein-mediated virus motion to the nucleus.

Supporting Evidence

  • Overexpression of dynactin subunits reduced adenovirus infection.
  • Live cell imaging showed distinct motion patterns of adenovirus.
  • Microtubules were required for adenovirus infection.

Takeaway

Dynactin is like a helper that makes sure the adenovirus moves quickly to where it needs to go inside the cell, helping it infect the cell better.

Methodology

Live cell spinning disc confocal microscopy was used to track single virus particles and analyze their motion patterns.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on one type of virus and may not generalize to all viruses.

Participant Demographics

HeLa cells were used for the experiments.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.004

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/v3030233

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication