Nipah virus matrix protein uses cortical actin to stabilize the virus assembly sites and promote budding.

ABSTRACT: Several enveloped viruses, including paramyxoviruses, assemble and bud from the host plasma membrane (PM). Nipah virus (NiV), a deadly zoonotic paramyxovirus, uses its matrix protein (M) to drive virus assembly and budding through dimerization and PM interaction. We show that NiV-M-mediated virus-like particle (VLP) production depends on its interaction with host F-actin via its carboxyl-terminal domain. We demonstrate that F-actin retains NiV-M assembly sites at the PM by analyzing NiV-M assembly kinetics. Disrupting actin dynamics or NiV-M-actin interaction alters M nanoscale organization and reduces membrane retention, without affecting initial recruitment. We also show that the Arp2/3 complex, an actin-branching factor, promotes VLP production. Inhibiting Arp2/3 reduces NiV-M retention

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature