Molecular mechanism of arenavirus assembly and budding

Viruses. 2012 Oct 10;4(10):2049-79. doi: 10.3390/v4102049.

Abstract

Arenaviruses have a bisegmented negative-strand RNA genome, which encodes four viral proteins: GP and NP by the S segment and L and Z by the L segment. These four viral proteins possess multiple functions in infection, replication and release of progeny viruses from infected cells. The small RING finger protein, Z protein is a matrix protein that plays a central role in viral assembly and budding. Although all arenaviruses encode Z protein, amino acid sequence alignment showed a huge variety among the species, especially at the C-terminus where the L-domain is located. Recent publications have demonstrated the interactions between viral protein and viral protein, and viral protein and host cellular protein, which facilitate transportation and assembly of viral components to sites of virus egress. This review presents a summary of current knowledge regarding arenavirus assembly and budding, in comparison with other enveloped viruses. We also refer to the restriction of arenavirus production by the antiviral cellular factor, Tetherin/BST-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Arenaviridae Infections / pathology
  • Arenaviridae Infections / virology
  • Arenavirus / genetics
  • Arenavirus / metabolism
  • Arenavirus / pathogenicity
  • Arenavirus / physiology*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / virology
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Virus Assembly*
  • Virus Release*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • p11 Z protein, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus