Receptor usage of a newly emergent adenovirus type 14

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe respiratory illness outbreaks linked to a novel adenovirus (Ad) serotype 14 variant, Ad14a.
• Ad14a possesses a distinct mutation: a two-amino acid deletion in the fiber protein knob compared to the Ad14 reference strain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the fiber protein mutation in Ad14a alters its receptor usage compared to the Ad14 reference strain.
• To identify the cellular receptors and viral components involved in Ad14a attachment and infection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized competition assays with radio-labeled viruses to assess receptor binding.
• Employed recombinant fiber knobs to evaluate their role in blocking viral attachment.
• Compared the binding characteristics of Ad14a and the Ad14 reference strain (de Wit).

Main Results:

• Both Ad14-de Wit and Ad14a utilize the same, yet unidentified, cellular receptor.
• Recombinant fiber knobs only partially inhibited Ad14a attachment, suggesting a multifactorial binding mechanism.
• The fiber protein deletion in Ad14a does not appear to change its primary receptor specificity.

Conclusions:

• The receptor for Ad14a and Ad14-de Wit remains to be identified.
• Viral attachment of Ad14a involves interactions with capsid proteins beyond the fiber protein.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the completeAd14a-host cell interaction.