The cytoskeleton plays an important role in trafficking proteins and other macromolecular moieties throughout the cell. Viruses have been thought to depend heavily on the cytoskeleton for their replication cycles. However, studies, including one in our lab, found that some viruses are not inhibited by anti-microtubule drugs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the replication of viruses from several families in the presence of cytoskeleton-inhibiting drugs and to examine the intracellular localization of the proteins of one of these viruses, Sindbis virus, to test the hypothesis that alternate pathways are used if the cytoskeleton is inhibited. We found that Sindbis virus (Togaviridae, positive-strand RNA), vesicular stomatitis virus (Rhabdoviridae, negative-strand RNA), and Herpes simplex virus 1 (Herpesviridae, DNA virus) were not inhibited by these drugs, contrary to expectation. Differences in the localization of the Sindbis virus were observed, suggesting the existence of alternate pathways for intracellular transport.

The cytoskeleton plays an important role in trafficking proteins and other macromolecular moieties throughout the cell. Viruses have been thought to depend heavily on the cytoskeleton for their replication cycles. However, studies, including one in our lab, found that some viruses are not inhibited by anti-microtubule drugs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the replication of viruses from several families in the presence of cytoskeleton-inhibiting drugs and to examine the intracellular localization of the proteins of one of these viruses, Sindbis virus, to test the hypothesis that alternate pathways are used if the cytoskeleton is inhibited. We found that Sindbis virus (Togaviridae, positive-strand RNA), vesicular stomatitis virus (Rhabdoviridae, negative-strand RNA), and Herpes simplex virus 1 (Herpesviridae, DNA virus) were not inhibited by these drugs, contrary to expectation. Differences in the localization of the Sindbis virus were observed, suggesting the existence of alternate pathways for intracellular transport.