The fusion protein of peste des petits ruminants virus is a hemolysin

The fusion glycoprotein (F protein) of paramyxoviruses plays a vital role i n virus-induced cytopathology. To explore the role of the F protein in pest e des petits ruminants virus (PPRV)-induced cytopathology, the F protein of PPRV was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. The purified F protein , when incubated with chicken erythrocytes, caused lysis suggesting that PP RV F protein is a hemolysin. Furthermore, the hemolysis can be inhibited by hyperimmune serum against F protein. The virus-induced cell fusion (syncyt ia) was also inhibited by the hyperimmune serum against the F protein. In s ummary, these results indicate that the purified PPRV F protein is biologic ally active and is involved in virus-induced hemolysis, cell-fusion and the initiation of infection.