biostudies-literatureUnknown11(38)Wang JSeveral 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 retentionScience advanceseadw4609https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12448087biostudies-literatureNipah virus matrix protein uses cortical actin to stabilize the virus assembly sites and promote budding.PMC12448087Matta GLLiu JWang QKliemke VLiu QZhang MLuo YWang JLiu GfalseNipah virus matrix protein uses cortical actin to stabilize the virus assembly sites and promote budding.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 retention2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-07-15T05:50:11.489Z2026-06-29T03:19:42.819ZS-EPMC124480874097143310.1126/sciadv.adw4609