Cofilin-1 is involved in regulation of actin reorganization during influenza A virus assembly and budding

Influenza A virus (IAV) assembly and budding on host cell surface plasma membrane requires actin cytoskeleton reorganization. The underlying molecular mechanism involving actin reorganization remains unclarified. In this study, we found that the natural antiviral compound petagalloyl glucose (PGG) inhibits F-actin reorganization in the host cell membrane during the late stage of IAV infection, which are associated with the suppression of total cofilin-1 level and its phosphorylation. Knock-down of cofilin-1 reduces viral yields. These findings provide the first evidence that cofilin-1 plays an important role in regulating actin reorganization during IAV assembly and budding.