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Related Experiment Videos

Foamy virus envelope glycoprotein-mediated entry involves a pH-dependent fusion process.

Marcus Picard-Maureau1, Gergely Jarmy, Angelika Berg

  • 1Institut für Virologie und Immunbiologie, Universität Würzburg, Germany.

Journal of Virology
|March 29, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Foamy viruses (FV) enter target cells via a pH-dependent pathway, similar to VSV-G but with distinct characteristics. This study clarifies the entry mechanism of these retroviruses.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Enveloped viruses utilize pH-dependent or pH-independent entry strategies.
  • Foamy viruses (FV), a unique retrovirus group, have poorly understood cellular uptake mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pH dependence of foamy virus (FV) entry into target cells.
  • To elucidate the specific endocytic pathway employed by FV envelope glycoproteins (Env).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of FV Env-mediated infection using pseudotyped viral vectors in the presence of lysosomotropic agents.
  • Cell-to-cell fusion assays to assess FV Env-mediated fusion at varying pH levels.
  • Comparative analysis with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G (VSV-G) mediated entry.

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Main Results:

  • FV Env-mediated entry was inhibited by lysosomotropic agents, indicating a pH-dependent endocytic pathway.
  • Unlike VSV-G, chloroquine did not inhibit FV Env pseudotype infectivity, suggesting a distinct pathway.
  • FV Env-mediated fusion occurred optimally at acidic pH (around 5.5), with only prototype FV (PFV) Env showing activity at neutral pH.

Conclusions:

  • Foamy viruses (FV) infect target cells through a pH-dependent endocytic pathway.
  • The FV entry mechanism shares similarities with but differs from that of VSV-G.
  • Specific pH conditions are critical for FV Env-mediated fusion and viral entry.