Filamentous influenza virus enters cells via macropinocytosis

Jeremy S. Rossman, George P. Leser, Robert A. Lamb*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Influenza virus is pleiomorphic, producing both spherical (100-nm-diameter) and filamentous (100-nm by 20- μm) virions. While the spherical virions are known to enter host cells through exploitation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the entry pathway for filamentous virions has not been determined, though the existence of an alternative, non-clathrin-, non-caveolin-mediated entry pathway for influenza virus has been known for many years. In this study, we confirm recent results showing that influenza virus utilizes macropinocytosis as an alternate entry pathway. Furthermore, we find that filamentous influenza viruses use macropinocytosis as the primary entry mechanism. Virions enter cells as intact filaments within macropinosomes and are trafficked to the acidic late-endosomal compartment. Low pH triggers a conformational change in the M2 ion channel protein, altering membrane curvature and leading to a fragmentation of the filamentous virions. This fragmentation may enable moreefficient fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10950-10960
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of virology
Volume86
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science
  • Virology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Filamentous influenza virus enters cells via macropinocytosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this