Rhabdoviruses and apoptosis

Viral-induced apoptosis is recognized as a common method utilized by viruses to overcome the host. Recent evidence indicates that infection by rhabdoviruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), and rabies virus results in apoptotic cell death. Similar morphological changes and host cell proteins are induced in cells infected with these different viruses; however, the viral proteins responsible for these changes vary. In addition, the molecular mechanism(s) utilized by these viruses to induce apoptosis are on the brink of discovery. This article serves to summarize our current understanding of the apoptotic process during rhabdovirus infection and to illustrate forthcoming areas of study in the field.