Endocytosis of chikungunya virus into mammalian cells: role of clathrin and early endosomal compartments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The replicative cycle of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus that recently re-emerged in India and in Indian Ocean area, remains mostly unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the intracellular trafficking pathway(s) hijacked by CHIKV to enter mammalian cells.

Methodology/principal findings

Entry pathways were investigated using a variety of pharmacological inhibitors or overexpression of dominant negative forms of proteins perturbating cellular endocytosis. We found that CHIKV infection of HEK293T mammalian cells is independent of clathrin heavy chain and- dependent of functional Eps15, and requires integrity of Rab5-, but not Rab7-positive endosomal compartment. Cytoskeleton integrity is crucial as cytochalasin D and nocodazole significantl

SUBMITTER: Bernard E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2900206 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature