Filamentous influenza virus enters cells via macropinocytosis

J Virol. 2012 Oct;86(20):10950-60. doi: 10.1128/JVI.05992-11. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

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 more-efficient fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • Endocytosis
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Endosomes / virology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepatitis A virus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / physiology
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Pinocytosis*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Viral Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Internalization*

Substances

  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Viral Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Matrix Proteins