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Temperature elevation enhances cell surface expression of measles virus fusion protein in infected cells
1Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Abstract:
Cell fusion proceeded gradually in measles virus-infected cells incubated at 35 degrees C. Shift-up of incubation temperature to 39 degrees C induced rapidly increased cell fusion in spite of the cessation of de novo synthesis of the fusion (F) protein. Pulse-chase experiments showed that there was little difference in the acquisition of immunoreactivity by haemagglutinin (H) and F proteins between the two temperatures. H protein was detected on the cell surface 60 min after the chase at either temperature. However, appearance of F protein on the cell surface took less than 3 h at 39 degrees C whereas it took 5 h at 35 degrees C. These data indicate that temperature elevation induces more efficient expression of F protein on the cell surface accompanied by marked syncytium formation in measles virus-infected cells.
Insights
Elevating incubation temperature accelerates measles virus-induced cell fusion by enhancing the surface expression of the fusion (F) protein, leading to rapid syncytium formation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Measles virus causes cell fusion and syncytium formation.
- Viral protein synthesis and trafficking are crucial for infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of temperature shifts on measles virus-induced cell fusion.
- To determine the role of fusion (F) protein and haemagglutinin (H) protein expression in temperature-dependent fusion.
Main Methods:
- Measles virus-infected cells were incubated at 35°C and 39°C.
- Cell fusion was monitored visually.
- Pulse-chase experiments were used to track viral protein synthesis and cell surface expression.
Main Results:
- Increased incubation temperature (39°C) significantly accelerated cell fusion compared to 35°C.
- De novo synthesis of F protein decreased at 39°C, yet fusion increased.
- F protein reached the cell surface faster at 39°C (under 3 hours) than at 35°C (5 hours).
Conclusions:
- Temperature elevation enhances measles virus-induced cell fusion.
- This enhancement is linked to more efficient cell surface expression of the F protein, not increased synthesis.
- Rapid syncytium formation at higher temperatures is mediated by accelerated F protein trafficking.