iScience (Aug 2023)

F-actin nanostructures rearrangements and regulation are essential for SARS-CoV-2 particle production in host pulmonary cells

  • Jitendriya Swain,
  • Peggy Merida,
  • Karla Rubio,
  • David Bracquemond,
  • Aymeric Neyret,
  • Israel Aguilar-Ordoñez,
  • Stefan Günther,
  • Guillermo Barreto,
  • Delphine Muriaux

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 8
p. 107384

Abstract

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Summary: Our study focused on deciphering the role of F-actin and related regulatory factors during SARS-CoV-2 particle production and transmission in human pulmonary cells. Quantitative high-resolution microscopies revealed that the late phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection induce a strong rearrangement of F-actin nanostructures dependent on the viral M, E, and N structural proteins. Intracellular vesicles containing viral components are labeled with Rab7 and Lamp1 and are surrounded by F-actin ring-shaped structures, suggesting their role in viral trafficking toward the cell membrane for virus release. Furthermore, filopodia-like nanostructures were loaded with viruses, potentially facilitating their egress and transmission between lung cells. Gene expression analysis revealed the involvement of alpha-actinins under the regulation of the protein kinase N (PKN). The use of a PKN inhibitor efficiently reduces virus particle production, restoring endoplasmic reticulum and F-actin cellular shape. Our results highlight an important role of F-actin rearrangements during the productive phases of SARS-CoV-2 particles.

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