Transition metals and oxidation reactions trigger stargate opening during the initial stages of the replicative cycle of the giant Tupanvirus.

ABSTRACT: Tupanviruses, members of the family Mimiviridae, infect phagocytic cells. Particle uncoating begins inside the phagosome, with capsid opening via the stargate. The mechanism through which this opening takes place is unknown. Once phagocytized, metal ion flux control and ROS are induced to inactivate foreign particles, including viruses. Here, we studied the effect of iron ions, copper ions, and H₂O₂ on Tupanvirus particles. Such treatments induced stargate opening in vitro, as observed by different microscopy techniques. Metal-treated viruses were found to be non-infectious, leading to the hypothesis that stargate opening likely resulted in the release of the viral seed, which is required for infection initiation. To the best of our knowledge, this is th

SUBMITTER: Cortines JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11481487 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature