Viruses move by hijacking cellular machinery. They don't have their own means of locomotion.
Viral Movement Mechanisms
Here's a breakdown of how viruses move, focusing on the method highlighted in the provided reference:
- Receptor Binding: Viruses initiate their movement by binding to specific receptors on the surface of host cells. This interaction is crucial for the subsequent steps.
- Actin-Driven Motion: Once attached to a cell, viruses exploit the host cell’s cytoskeleton, specifically the protein actin. This process is also called the Actin-driven motility.
- Actin: This protein is essential for cellular movement and internal transport.
- How it Works: The virus manipulates the cell's actin to create a force that propels the virus toward other target cells. It's essentially a form of "pushing" from inside the cell using the actin filaments that the virus induces within the cell. (17, 111, 112)
- Advantages: This movement method allows viruses to reach new potential hosts and spread the infection efficiently.
Summary
| Mechanism | Description |
|---|---|
| Receptor Binding | Virus attaches to a host cell via specific surface proteins. |
| Actin-Driven Motion | Virus uses the cell's actin to move towards target cells, essentially pushing itself along inside of cells. |
The ability of viruses to manipulate cellular processes like actin-driven motility is key to their infection cycles and pathogenesis. Viruses do not swim or crawl on their own; their movement is always dependent on the interaction with host cells. They do not utilize their own means of transportation.
