Apoptosis in astrovirus-infected CaCo-2 cells

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Guix ; Susana ; Bosch ; Albert ; Ribes ; Enric ; Dora Martí ; nez ; L. ; Pintó ; Rosa M.
• 关键词：Human astrovirus ; Apoptosis ; CaCo-2 cells ; Caspases ; Death domain
• 刊名：Virology
• 出版年：2004
• 出版时间：February 20, 2004
• 年：2004
• 卷：319
• 期：2
• 页码：249-261
• 全文大小：612 K

文摘

Cell death processes during human astrovirus replication in CaCo-2 cells and their underlying mechanisms were investigated. Morphological and biochemical alterations typical of apoptosis were analyzed in infected cells using a combination of techniques, including DAPI staining, the sub-G₀/G₁ technique and the TUNEL assay. The onset of apoptosis was directly proportional to the virus multiplicity of infection. Transient expression experiments showed a direct link between astrovirus ORF1a encoded proteins and apoptosis induction. A computer analysis of the astrovirus genome revealed the presence of a death domain in the nonstructural protein p38 of unknown function, encoded in ORF1a. Apoptosis inhibition experiments suggested the involvement of caspase 8 in the apoptotic response, and led to a reduction in the infectivity of the virus progeny released to the supernatant. We conclude that apoptotic death of host cells seems necessary for efficient human astrovirus replication and particle maturation.