Cell-surface expression of a mutated Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein B allows fusion independent of other viral proteins

Marisa P. McShane, Richard Longnecker*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human B lymphocytes and epithelial cells. We have compared the requirements for EBV glycoprotein-induced cell fusion between Chinese hamster ovary effecter cells and human B lymphoblasts or epithelial cells by using a virus-free cell fusion assay. EBV-encoded gB, gH, gL, and gp42 glycoproteins were required for efficient B cell fusion, whereas EBV gB, gH, and gL glycoproteins were required for Chinese hamster ovary effecter cell fusion with epithelial cell lines (AGS and SCC68) or the human embryonic kidney cell line 293-P. Fusion with human embryonic kidney 293-P cells was greater than fusion observed with B cells, indicative of an important role for cell contact. An antibody directed against the gH and gL complex inhibited epithelial cell fusion. Increased surface expression of gB alone as a result of truncations or point mutants in the carboxyl-terminal tail allowed gB-mediated fusion with epithelial cells, albeit at a lower level than with coexpression of gB, gH, and gL. Overall, gB appears to be the critical component for EBV glycoprotein-mediated cell fusion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17474-17479
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume101
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 14 2004

Keywords

  • Herpesvirus
  • Viral entry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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