Integrin alpha 2 beta 1 mediates the cell attachment of the rotavirus neuraminidase-resistant variant nar3

It was previously reported that integrins alpha2 beta1, alpha4 beta1, and a lphaX beta2 are involved in rotavirus cell infection. In this work we studi ed the role of integrin subunits alpha2, alpha4, and beta2 on the attachmen t of rotaviruses RRV and nar3 to MA104 cells. Integrin alpha2 beta1 was fou nd to serve as the binding receptor for the neuraminidase-resistant virus n ar3, whereas the neuraminidase-sensitive strain RRV interacted with this in tegrin at a postattachment step. It was shown that nar3 binds alpha2 beta1 through the DGE integrin-recognition motif located in the virus surface pro tein VP5. Integrin subunits alpha4 and beta2 do not seem to be involved in the initial cell binding of either virus. (C) 2000 Academic Press.