NEUAC-ALPHA-2,3GAL-GLYCOCONJUGATE EXPRESSION DETERMINES CELL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THE PORCINE RUBULAVIRUS LPMV

Relevance of membrane sialoglycoconjugates as receptors for infection by the porcine rubulavirus has been determined in vitro by sugar and l ectin competition assays and by inhibition of glycosylation. Our resul ts show that NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal but not NeuAc alpha 2,6Gal inhibits th e virus infectivity of Vero cells, and the virus was effectively block ed with the lectin Maackia amurensis, specific for NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal. Inhibition of the cellular glycosylation with tunicamycin, deoxinojir imycin as well as neuraminidase treatment diminishes the viral capacit y to bind and infect this cell line. Dexamethasone, which promotes the activity of sialyl alpha 2,6 glycosyltransferase, also diminishes the cell susceptibility for infection. This is the first report confirmin g that NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal recognition is determinant in the pathogenes is of the porcine rubulavirus. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.