Viral interactions with the cytoskeleton in the manipulation of host cell biology

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  Project Leader
  Dr Greg Moseley

  gregory.moseley@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 3 8344 2288

Project Details

Using live-cell imaging and super resolution microscopy (Figure 1), immune signaling assays and viral reverse genetics/in vivo disease models, we have identified novel interactions of viral proteins with the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton, whereby viruses can modulate the structure/dynamics of MTs to exploit their functions in regulating diverse processes including immunity, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis.

By generating mutant viruses unable to modulate MT-dependent functions we identified significant roles in virulence in vivo. Using these techniques, combined with functional genomics/proteomics, EM, and imaging techniques such as RICS and bimolecular complementation, current projects aim to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, and to determine their potential as new targets to develop antiviral drugs/vaccines.

Figure 1: (A) 3D-MT association assay showing CLSM image (left) and automated tracing (right) of viral protein-MT interactions in living cells. (B) Super-resolution (dSTORM) microscopy reveals significant changes in MT structure between control (left) and viral protein-expressing cells (right).