Role of glycosphingolipids in HIV-1 entry: requirement of globotriosylceramide (Gb3) in CD4/CXCR4-dependent fusion.
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We have recently shown that addition of human erythrocyte glycosphingolipids (GSL) to non-human CD4+ or GSL-depleted human CD4+ cells rendered those cells susceptible to gp120-gp41-mediated cell fusion (Puri et al., BBRC, 1998). One GSL fraction (Fraction 3) isolated from human erythrocyte GSL mixture exhibited the highest recovery of fusion following incorporation into CD4+ non-human and GSL-depleted HeLa-CD4 cells (HeLa-CD4/GSL-). Structural analysis of Fraction 3 showed that this GSL had identical head group as the known GSL, Gal(alpha1-->4)Gal(beta1-->4)Glc-Ceramide (Gb3) (Puri et al., PNAS, 1998). Here we report that presence of Gb3 in CD4+/CXCR4+ cells but not CD4+/CXCR4 cells allows fusion with HIV-1Lai-envelope glycoprotein expressing cells (TF228). Therefore, Gb3 functions in conjunction with HIV-1 co-receptor, CXCR4 to promote fusion. We propose that Gb3 functions by recruiting CD4 and/or CXCR4 at the fusion site through structurally specific interactions. (+info)
Role of the cytoplasmic tail of ecotropic moloney murine leukemia virus Env protein in fusion pore formation.
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Fusion between cells expressing envelope protein (Env) of Moloney murine leukemia virus and target cells were studied by use of video fluorescence microscopy and electrical capacitance measurements. When the full-length 632-amino-acid residue Env was expressed, fusion did not occur at all for 3T3 cells as target and only somewhat for XC6 cells. Expression of Env 616*-a construct of Env with the last 16 amino acid residues (617 to 632; the R peptide) deleted from its C terminus to match the proteolytically cleaved Env produced during viral budding-resulted in high levels of fusion. Env 601*, lacking the entire cytoplasmic tail (CT) (identified by hydrophobicity), also led to fusion. Truncation of an additional six residues (Env 595*) abolished fusion. The kinetics of forming fusion pores did not depend on whether cells were first prebound at 4 degrees C and the time until fusion measured after the temperature was raised to 37 degrees C or whether cells were first brought into contact at 37 degrees C and the time until fusion immediately measured. This similarity in kinetics indicates that binding is accomplished quickly compared to subsequent steps in fusion. The fusion pores formed by Env 601* and Env 616* had the same initial size and enlarged in similar manners. Thus, once the R peptide is removed, the CT is not needed for fusion and does not affect formed pores. However, residues 595 to 601 are required for fusion. It is suggested here that the ectodomain and membrane-spanning domain of Env are directly responsible for fusion and that the R peptide affects their configurations at some point during the fusion process, thereby indirectly controlling fusion. (+info)
Genetic complementation in heterokaryons of human fibroblasts defective in cobalamin metabolism.
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Inherited methylmalonicacidemia due to deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (methylmalonyl-CoA CoA-carbonylmutase; EC 5.4.99.2) activity results from at least three classes of biochemically distinct defects affecting cobalamin (Cbl: vitamin B12) metabolism (cbl A, cbl B, and cbl C mutants) and a fourth class producing a defective mutase apoenzyme. We have obtained genetic evidence in support of this biochemical heterogeneity, using heterokaryons prepared by Sendai-virus-mediated cell fusion. Nine fibroblast lines from patients with defective Cbl metabolism (4 cbl A, 3 cbl B, and 2 cbl C), two from patients with defective mutase apoenzyme, and two from controls were fused in pairwise combinations and tested for functional mutase holoenzyme using a radioautographic procedure which detects [14C]propionate incorporation into trichloroacetic-acid-precipitable material in fibroblast monolayers in situ. Each of the mutants incorporates negligible radioactivity compared to control cells. Activity is also negligible when different mutants are mixed without virus or when homokaryons are produced by self-fusion. Heterokaryons produced by fusing members of each of the four mutant classes with representatives of any other class recover the ability to incorporate [14C]propionate to levels comparable to those of control cells. However, heterokaryons produced between members of the same class fail to complement in all cases. We conclude that the mutants with defective Cbl metabolism (cbl A, cbl B, cbl C) comprise three complementation groups, that a fourth group corresponds to mutase apoenzyme deficiency, and that all four classes of mutations are recessively inherited. (+info)
HTLV-1-induced cell fusion is limited at two distinct steps in the fusion pathway after receptor binding.
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Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is notable among retroviruses for its poor ability to infect permissive cells, particularly as cell free virus. The virus is most efficiently transmitted between individuals by infected cells, where it is presumed that intracellular particles and viral RNA are transferred to target cells following fusion. Although the mandatory first step for HTLV-1 fusion is the binding of envelope SU (gp46) to the receptor, the events which follow this interaction and lead to fusion and infection have not been well characterized. To investigate these events, we studied two HTLV-1 chronically infected cell lines with different abilities to fuse with K562 target cells. Although not inherently fusion incompetent, the HTLV-1 envelope protein on MT2 cells was poorly able to undergo a change in membrane hydrophobicity required for fusion with the target cell membrane after binding to the receptor. High level expression of a fusion-competent HTLV-1 envelope protein on MT2 cells had little effect on improving this suggesting that the defect was encoded by the parent cell. Visible syncytia were seen after incubation of these cells with K562 target cells but complete fusion as measured by transfer of cellular contents into the recipient cell was not observed. In C91-PL cells, binding of SU to the receptor resulted in a sustained hydrophobic change of envelope accompanied by a cytopathic effect in mixed cell cultures and complete fusion. However, in C91-PL cells, overexpression of envelope protein blocked the transfer of cell contents after receptor engagement and initiation of cytopathic membrane changes, indicating that post binding fusion events were blocked. These data suggest that HTLV-1 fusion is a multistep process which is susceptible to inhibition at two seperate stages of the fusion pathway post receptor binding. This, and the inefficient infection by cell-free virions, may explain the poor infectivity of HTLV-1 in vivo and suggests strategies for preventative therapy. (+info)
Fusion of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicle membranes induced by concanavalin A.
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The temperature dependence of fatty acid spin label resonance spectra and freeze fracture micrographs of sonicated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles in the absence and presence of concanavalin A demonstrate a strong interaction of concanavalin A with these lipid membranes, which results in fusion of the vesicles. The rate of this reaction as followed with use of magnetic resonance exhibits a pronounced maximum at 36 degrees, the midpoint of the phase transition range of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles. This maximum is discussed in terms of structural fluctuations, which are maximal in the phase transition range of the membranes. (+info)
The use of a quantitative fusion assay to evaluate HN-receptor interaction for human parainfluenza virus type 3.
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Sialic acid is the receptor determinant for the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPF3) hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoprotein, the molecule responsible for binding of the virus to cell surfaces. In order for the fusion protein (F) of HPF3 to promote membrane fusion, HN must interact with its receptor. In addition to its role in receptor binding and fusion promotion, the HPF3 HN molecule contains receptor-destroying (sialidase) activity. The putative active sites are in the extracellular domain of this type II integral membrane protein. However, HN is not available in crystalline form; the exact locations of these sites, and the structural requirements for binding to the cellular receptor, which has not yet been isolated, are unknown. Nor have small molecular synthetic inhibitors of attachment or fusion that would provide insight into these processes been identified. The strategy in the present study was to develop an assay system that would provide a measure of a specific step in the viral cycle-functional interaction between viral glycoproteins and the cell during attachment and fusion-and serve to screen a variety of substances for inhibitory potential. The assay is based on our previous finding that CV-1 cells persistently infected (p.i.) with HPF3 do not fuse with one another but that the addition of uninfected CV-1 cells, supplying the critical sialic acid containing receptor molecules that bind HN, results in rapid fusion. In the present assay two HeLa cell types were used: we persistently infected HeLa-LTR-betagal cells, assessed their fusion with uninfected HeLa-tat cells, and then quantitated the beta-galactosidase (betagal) produced as a result of this fusion. The analog alpha-2-S-methyl-5-N-thioacetylneuraminic acid (alpha-Neu5thioAc2SMe) interfered with fusion, decreasing betagal production by 84% at 50 mM and by 24% at 25 mM. In beginning to extend our studies to different types of molecules, we tested an unsaturated derivative of sialic acid, 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-n-acetyl neuraminic acid (DANA), which is known to inhibit influenza neuraminidase by virtue of being a transition-state analog. We found that 10 mM DANA inhibited neuraminidase activity in HPF3 viral preparations. More significantly, this compound was active in our assay of HN-receptor interaction; 10 mM DANA completely blocked fusion and betagal production, and hemadsorption inhibition by DANA suggested that DANA blocks attachment. In plaque reduction assays performed with the compounds, the active analog alpha-Neu5thioAc2SMe reduced plaque formation by 50% at a 50 mM concentration; DANA caused a 90% inhibition in the plaque reduction assay at a concentration of 25 mM. Our results indicate that specific sialic acid analogs that mimic the cellular receptor determinant of HPF3 can block virus cell interaction and that an unsaturated n-acetyl-neuraminic acid derivative with affinity to the HN site responsible for neuraminidase activity also interferes with HN-receptor binding. Strategies suggested by these findings are now being pursued to obtain information regarding the relative locations of the active sites of HN and to further elucidate the relationship between the receptor-binding and receptor-destroying activities of HN during the viral life cycle. The quantitative assay that we describe is of immediate applicability to large-scale screening for potential inhibitors of HPF3 infection in vivo. (+info)
Manipulating the genetic identity and biochemical surface properties of individual cells with electric-field-induced fusion.
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A method for cell-cell and cell-liposome fusion at the single-cell level is described. Individual cells or liposomes were first selected and manipulated either by optical trapping or by adhesion to a micromanipulator-controlled ultramicroelectrode. Spatially selective fusion of the cell-cell or cell-liposome pair was achieved by the application of a highly focused electric field through a pair of 5-micrometer o.d. carbon-fiber ultramicroelectrodes. The ability to fuse together single cells opens new possibilities in the manipulation of the genetic and cellular makeup of individual cells in a controlled manner. In the study of cellular networks, for example, the alteration of the biochemical identity of a selected cell can have a profound effect on the behavior of the entire network. Fusion of a single liposome with a target cell allows the introduction of the liposomal content into the cell interior as well as the addition of lipids and membrane proteins onto the cell surface. This cell-liposome fusion represents an approach to the manipulation of the cytoplasmic contents and surface properties of single cells. As an example, we have introduced a membrane protein (gamma-glutamyltransferase) reconstituted in liposomes into the cell plasma membrane. (+info)
CD46 is a cellular receptor for human herpesvirus 6.
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Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is the etiologic agent of exanthema subitum, causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, and has been implicated in multiple sclerosis and in the progression of AIDS. Here, we show that the two major HHV-6 subgroups (A and B) use human CD46 as a cellular receptor. Downregulation of surface CD46 was documented during the course of HHV-6 infection. Both acute infection and cell fusion mediated by HHV-6 were specifically inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to CD46; fusion was also blocked by soluble CD46. Nonhuman cells that were resistant to HHV-6 fusion and entry became susceptible upon expression of recombinant human CD46. The use of a ubiquitous immunoregulatory receptor opens novel perspectives for understanding the tropism and pathogenicity of HHV-6. (+info)