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Updated: May 18, 2026
High-throughput Antiviral Assays to Screen for Inhibitors of Zika Virus Replication
Published on: October 30, 2021
Identification of prohibitin as a Chikungunya virus receptor protein
Phitchayapak Wintachai1, Nitwara Wikan, Atichat Kuadkitkan
1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.
Abstract:
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has recently re-emerged causing millions of infections in countries around the Indian Ocean. While CHIKV has a broad host cell range and productively infects a number of different cell types, macrophages have been identified as a potential viral reservoir serving to increase the duration of symptoms. To date no CHIKV interacting protein has been characterized and this study sought to identify CHIKV binding proteins expressed on target cell membranes. Two-dimensional virus overlay identified prohibitin (PHB) as a microglial cell expressed CHIKV binding protein. Co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation as well as antibody and siRNA mediated infection inhibition studies all confirmed a role for PHB in mediating internalization of CHIKV into microglial cells. PHB is the first identified CHIKV receptor protein, and this study is evidence that PHB may play a role in the internalization of multiple viruses.
Insights
Researchers identified prohibitin (PHB) as the first Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) receptor on microglial cells. This discovery explains how the virus enters cells and may offer new strategies for controlling CHIKV infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) re-emergence has led to widespread infections.
- Macrophages are implicated as potential viral reservoirs, prolonging symptoms.
- No CHIKV interacting proteins on host cells had been previously identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify CHIKV binding proteins on target cell membranes.
- To characterize the role of identified proteins in CHIKV infection.
Main Methods:
- Two-dimensional virus overlay assay to identify binding proteins.
- Co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation to confirm protein interaction.
- Antibody and siRNA mediated studies to assess functional role in infection.
Main Results:
- Prohibitin (PHB) was identified as a CHIKV binding protein on microglial cells.
- PHB was confirmed to co-localize and interact with CHIKV.
- Inhibition studies demonstrated PHB's role in mediating CHIKV internalization.
Conclusions:
- Prohibitin (PHB) is the first identified receptor protein for CHIKV.
- PHB mediates the internalization of CHIKV into microglial cells.
- PHB may be involved in the entry mechanism of other viruses.
