Human cytomegalovirus induces alteration of beta-actin mRNA and microfilaments in human embryo fibroblast cells.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the infection of human embryo fibroblast cell line HF cells by CMV as well as the effects of CMV on beta-actin mRNA and microfilaments. METHODS HF cells shape was observed after the infection of CMV. RT-PCR assay was used to detect the mRNA expression of CMV immediate early (IE) gene, beta-actin and GAPDH genes of HF cells infected by CMV. CMV particles and cell microfilaments were detected with electron microscope. RESULTS Shape of HF cell changed after the infection by CMV. HF cells infected by CMV could express IE mRNA and the expression of beta-actin mRNA decreased in a time- and titer-dependent manner compared with the uninfected HF cells whose expression of GAPDH mRNA did not change much. CMV particles were found with electron microscope in the cells. Microfilaments were ruptured and shortened after the infection of CMV. CONCLUSION CMV can not only infect human embryo fibroblast cells line HF cells and replicate in the cells, but can also affect the expression of beta-actin mRNA and the microfilaments.