The Ezrin-radixin-moesin family member ezrin regulates stable microtubule formation and retroviral infection

J Virol. 2008 May;82(9):4665-70. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02403-07. Epub 2008 Feb 27.

Abstract

We recently identified the cytoskeletal regulatory protein moesin as a novel gene that inhibits retroviral replication prior to reverse transcription by downregulation of stable microtubule formation. Here, we provide evidence that overexpression of ezrin, another closely related ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family member, also blocks replication of both murine leukemia viruses and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Rat2 fibroblasts before reverse transcription, while knockdown of endogenous ezrin increases the susceptibility of human cells to HIV-1 infection. Together, these results suggest that ERM proteins may be important determinants of retrovirus susceptibility through negative regulation of stable microtubule networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology*
  • Disease Susceptibility / therapy
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Leukemia Virus, Murine / drug effects
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Microtubules / drug effects*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Retroviridae Infections / drug therapy*
  • Transfection
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • ezrin
  • moesin
  • radixin