Cell Entry-Independent Role for the Reovirus μ1 Protein in Regulating Necroptosis and the Accumulation of Viral Gene Products

Abstract

We used mammalian reovirus as a model to study how virus infections result in cell death. Here, we sought to determine how viral factors regulate cell death. Our work highlights a previously unknown role for the reovirus outer capsid protein μ1 in limiting the induction of a necrotic form of cell death called necroptosis. Induction of cell death by necroptosis requires the detection of viral gene products late in infection; μ1 limits cell death by this mechanism because it prevents excessive accumulation of viral gene products that trigger cell death.