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

Journal article

A peripheral membrane protein that is interactive with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was purified from cells permissive to infection. Tryptic peptides from this protein were determined to be alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG). Several strains of LCMV and other arenaviruses, including Lassa fever 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 reconstitution of DG expression in null mutant cells restored susceptibility to LCMV infection. Thus, alpha-DG is a cellular receptor for both LCMV and LFV.

Authors: Cao, W; Henry, MD; Borrow, P; Yamada, H; Elder, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)
• Volume: 282
• Issue: 5396
• Pages: 2079-2081
• Publication date: 1998-12-01
• DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5396.2079
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cell Line; Membrane Glycoproteins; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; Virus Replication; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Mutation; Receptors, Virus; Lassa virus; Arenavirus; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Dystroglycans; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals