Functional entry of baculovirus into insect and mammalian cells is dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Entry of the budded virus form of baculoviruses into insect and mammalian cells is generally thought to occur through a low-pH-dependent endocytosis pathway, possibly through clathrin-coated pits. This insight is primarily based on (immuno)electron microscopy studies but requires biochemical support to exclude the use of other pathways. Here, we demonstrate using various inhibitors that functional entry of baculoviruses into insect and mammalian cells is primarily dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Our results further suggest that caveolae are somehow involved in baculovirus entry in mammalian cells. A caveolar endocytosis inhibitor, genistein, enhances baculovirus transduction in these cells considerably.