Viruses and Cajal Bodies: A Critical Cellular Target in Virus Infection?

Abstract

Nuclear bodies (NBs) are dynamic structures present in eukaryotic cell nuclei. They are not bounded by membranes and are often considered biomolecular condensates, defined structurally and functionally by the localisation of core components. Nuclear architecture can be reorganised during normal cellular processes such as the cell cycle as well as in response to cellular stress. Many plant and animal viruses target their proteins to NBs, in some cases triggering their structural disruption and redistribution. Although not all such interactions have been well characterised, subversion of NBs and their functions may form a key part of the life cycle of eukaryotic viruses that require the nucleus for their replication. This review will focus on Cajal bodies (CBs) and the viruses that target them. Since CBs are dynamic structures, other NBs (principally nucleoli and promyelocytic leukaemia, PML and bodies), whose components interact with CBs, will also be considered. As well as providing important insights into key virus–host cell interactions, studies on Cajal and associated NBs may identify novel cellular targets for development of antiviral compounds.

Nicotiana benthamiana Methanol-Inducible Gene (MIG) 21 Encodes a Nucleolus-Localized Protein That Stimulates Viral Intercellular Transport and Downregulates Nuclear Import

“…Fibrillarin has multiple functions in plant cell among which is the participation in cell-to-cell and long-distance movements of viruses [ 43 ]. Coilin and Cajal bodies are also implicated in the responses to biotic and abiotic stress factors and serve targets for viruses [ 36 , 44 ]. Thus, NbMIG2p nucleolar localization and its interaction with both fibrillarin and coilin could indicate that these proteins are involved in the same stress-activated pathways.…”

Host Subcellular Organelles: Targets of Viral Manipulation

“…Some viruses, including HSV-1, have been reported to induce the redistribution and degradation of host promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs). These PML NBs, which have the ability to be SUMOylated, act as a target for viruses to escape the antiviral signaling response in order to neutralize the antiviral response [137][138][139]. During viral infections, several other subnuclear structures, including Cajal bodies [140], the nuclear lamina [141], as well as chromatin [142], are also targeted.…”