Cytoskeletal proteins participate in conserved viral strategies across kingdoms of life.

Cytoskeletal proteins participate in conserved viral strategies across kingdoms of life.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2013 Sep 19;
Authors: Erb ML, Pogliano J
Abstract
The discovery of tubulin-like cytoskeletal proteins carried on the genomes of bacteriophages that are actively used for phage propagation during both the lytic and lysogenic cycle have revealed that there at least two ways that viruses can utilize a cytoskeleton; co-opt the host cytoskeleton or bring their own homologues. Either strategy underscores the deep evolutionary relationship between viruses and cytoskeletal proteins and points to a conservation of viral strategies that crosses the kingdoms of life. Here we review some of the most recent discoveries about tubulin cytoskeletal elements encoded by phages and compare them to some of the strategies utilized by the gammaherpesvirues of mammalian cells.
PMID: 24055040 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - September 19, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Erb ML, Pogliano J Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research