Involvement of Actin-Regulating Factor Cofilin in the Inclusion Body Formation and RNA Synthesis of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 via Interaction With the Nucleoprotein

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) is one of the primary pathogens that causing severe respiratory tract diseases in newborns and infants. It could induce inclusion bodies (IBs) in infected cells. Comprised of viral nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P), as well as some cellular factors, HPIV3 IBs are unique platform for efficient viral synthesis. Although several studies have demonstrated the formation of IBs, little is known about cellular proteins involved in HPIV3 IBs formation. By quantitative real-time PCR assays after cytochalasin D treatment, we found actin microfilaments of the cytoskeleton were indispensible for HPIV3 RNA synthesis. Using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays, an actin-modulating protein, cofilin was found to involve in the IBs formation through interaction with the N protein in N–P induced IBs complex. Viral IBs formation reduced upon RNA interference knockdown of cellular cofilin, thus viral RNA synthesis and protein expression level were also suppressed. What’s more, the inactive form of cofilin, p-cofilin was increased after HPIV3 infection, and phosphorylation of cofilin was required for interacting with N–P complex and IBs formation. We further identified that the regions in cofilin interacting with N protein lies in the C-terminus. Our findings for the first time to state that cellular cofilin involves in HPIV3 IBs and interaction with N is critical for cofilin to aid IBs formation and enhancing viral RNA synthesis.