Saturday, January 15, 2011

Rotavirus will steal your proteasome.

In a recently released JVI study, Contin et  al. examined the role of cellular proteasomes on  Rotavirus replication.

The proteasome-ubiqiutin degradation pathway is essential for many cellular processes including the  cell cycle, gene expression, and as a response to oxidative stress. As this study found, Rotavirus-infected cells were treated with proteasome inhibitors (MG132 ,  Lactacystin, Bortezomib) and observed a significant increase in viral RNA accumulation and decreased viral yield. Upon further investigation and monitoring of virus replication, they found that the proteasome was necessary for early steps after entry and uncoating, primarily affecting the formations of viroplasms (viral "factories") and subsequent growth.

 In Rotavirus infections, the proteasome system is critical for the production of viral proteins in a dose dependent manner. Based on these data, researchers go on to suggest using proteasome activity as potential drug targets (but notably, without any discussion of effects on host cells).

 Contin, R., Arnoldi, F., Mano, M., Burrone O. R. Rotavirus replication requires a functional proteasome for effective assembly of viroplasms. J. Virol. doi:10.1128/JVI.01631-10;  published online ahead of print on 12 January 2011.

- Vy Tran

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