Cell receptors for paramyxoviruses

Treatment of chick embryo fibroblasts, calf kidney and BHK cells for 30 minutes with the enzyme neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae causes an enhancement of the per cent of attached NDV virions. This enhancement does not depend on the multiplicity of infection. The quantity of spontaneously eluted and cellbound virus is two times greater than the quantity of the same virus derived from control cells. N-acetyl-neuramin lactose inhibits the effect of Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase. After prolonged action of this enzyme, the quantity of adsorbed NDV diminishes. Treatment of the same cells with neuraminidase from influenza virus decreases the per cent of adsorbed NDV with respect to controls. The other paramyxovirus--bovine parainfluenza 3 virus adsorbs also more intensively on cells treated with Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase. It is suggested that partial hydrolysis of NANA molecules causes a rearrangement of the cell surface charged groups and thus allows a more effective contact between paramyxoviruses and the cell.