Identification of alpha-dystroglycan as a receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and lassa fever virus

A peripheral membrane protein that is interactive with Lymphocytic choriome ningitis virus (LCMV) was purified from cells permissive to infection. Tryp tic peptides from this protein were determined to be alpha-dystroglycan (al pha-DG). Several strains of LCMV and other arenaviruses, including Lassa fe ver virus (LFV), Oliveros, and Mobala, bound to purified alpha-DG protein. Soluble alpha-DG blocked both LCMV and LFV infection. Cells bearing a null mutation of the gene encoding DG were resistant to LCMV infection, and reco nstitution of DC expression in null mutant cells restored susceptibility to LCMV infection. Thus, alpha-DG is a cellular receptor for both LCMV and LF V.