Functional Entry of Baculovirus into Insect and Mammalian Cells Is Dependent on Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis

Abstract

Entry of the budded virus form of baculoviruses into insect and mammalian cells is generally thought to occur through a low-pH-dependent endocytosis pathway, possibly through clathrin-coated pits. This insight is primarily based on (immuno)electron microscopy studies but requires biochemical support to exclude the use of other pathways. Here, we demonstrate using various inhibitors that functional entry of baculoviruses into insect and mammalian cells is primarily dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Our results further suggest that caveolae are somehow involved in baculovirus entry in mammalian cells. A caveolar endocytosis inhibitor, genistein, enhances baculovirus transduction in these cells considerably.

Purification of a recombinant baculovirus of Autographa californica M nucleopolyhedrovirus by ion exchange membrane chromatography

“…Baculoviruses have been applied globally for control of Lepidoptera pests, e.g., in soybean and cotton crops (Moscardi, 1999) and have been studied as a vector for gene therapy (Liang et al, 2003;Long et al, 2006). In 2009 the FDA approved Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKlineBiologicals), a vaccine against two main types of cancer-causing human papillomavirus produced with the Baculovirus Expression System (Betting et al, 2009).…”

Expression and Localization of Bombyx mori V-ATPase 16 kDa Subunit c

“…It has already been known that baculovirus budded viruses (BVs) enter the cell via clathrinmediated endocytosis (Long et al, 2006). V-ATPase may play a role in regulating the pH value to promote the membrane fusion between virus and endosome (Kingsley et al, 1999).…”

Recent Advances in Our Knowledge of Baculovirus Molecular Biology and Its Relevance for the Registration of Baculovirus-Based Products for Insect Pest Population Control

“…BV entry into insect cells is effected by GP64 via a clathrin-mediated, low-pH dependent, endocytic process (Long et al, 2006). Insect cells have different receptors for GP64 and Fprotein and these two proteins appear to act separately (Hefferon et al, 1999;Westenberg et al, 2007;Wickham et al, 1999).…”