Caveolin-1 is involved in encephalomyocarditis virus replication in BHK-21 cells

Background Encephalomyocarditis virus, member of Cardiovirus genus within Picornaviridae family, is an important pathogen that infects different domestic and wild animals. However, the molecular mechanism of its entry remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of EMCV infectivity in relation to endocytic pathway using BHK-21 cells. Methods The function of numerous cellular key factors implicated in the various endocytic mechanisms were systematically explored using chemical inhibitors. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi) as well as the overexpression of dominant protein combined to virus infectivity assays, and confocal microscopy was used to examine EMCV infection in details. Results The results indicated that the EMCV entry into BHK-21 cells depends on caveolin, dynamin, and actin but not clathrin nor macropinocytosis pathways. The effects of overexpression and knockdown of caveolin-1, one components of the caveolae, was examined on EMCV infection. The results showed that EMCV infection was positive correlation with caveolin-1 expression. Confocal microscopy analysis and internalization assay showed that caveolin-1 is required at the early stage of EMCV infection. Conclusions Caveolin-1, dynamin, and actin-dependent endocytosis pathways are necessary for EMCV infection in vitro.

Automated summary

This study uncovered that caveolin-1, dynamin, and actin-dependent endocytosis pathways are necessary for EMCV infection in vitro. Overexpression of caveolin-1 was positively correlated with EMCV infection, and caveolin-1 was found to be required at the early stage of EMCV infection through confocal microscopy analysis and internalization assay.