Actin is one of the most functionally important proteins in eukaryotic cells. Morphologically, actin can be found in two forms: a monomeric form called globular actin (G-actin) and a polymeric form called filamentous actin (F-actin). G-actin can polymerize to form F-actin, and nucleation promoting factor (NPF) is the initiator of this process. Many viral pathogens harness the host actin polymer...
In baculovirus, a large double stranded enveloped DNA virus, so far only a single protein, named GP41, has been identified as an O-glycosylated tegument protein. Baculoviruses are specific for insects and have been widely used as biocontrol agents of insect pests, as well as efficient gene expression and gene delivery vectors for human therapy. GP41 was originally identified as an O-linked glyc...
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a large (~235-kb) genome with over 170 ORFs and exploits numerous cellular factors to facilitate its replication. HCMV infection increases protein levels of WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) during infection, overexpression of WDR5 enhances viral replication, and knockdown of WDR5 dramatically attenuates viral replication. WDR5 is essential for assembling th...
A research group from Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced that they have developed a new type of flu vaccine using nano-technology. The intranasal nano-vaccine can target broad-spectrum flu viruses and induces robust immune responses, said Cui Zongqiang, leader of the research group.
