Common cell surface antigen associated with mammalian C-type RNA viruses. Cell membrane-bound gs antigen

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• C-type RNA viruses, including feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and murine leukemia virus (MuLV), are associated with mammalian leukemia and sarcoma.
• Understanding the antigenic properties of these viruses is crucial for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detect and characterize a shared antigen on the surface of cells infected or transformed by mammalian C-type RNA viruses.
• To determine the antigenic determinants of the identified membrane-bound antigen.

Main Methods:

• Indirect membrane immunofluorescence test.
• Absorption analysis using specific antisera (rabbit anti-FeLV, rabbit anti-FeLVp 30, rabbit anti-MuLVp 30).

Main Results:

• A common antigen was detected on the surface of cells infected with murine and feline C-type RNA leukemia and sarcoma viruses.
• The antigen was characterized as a membrane-bound gs antigen with two distinct determinants: membrane-bound gs-1 (intraspecies-specific) and membrane-bound gs-3 (interspecies-specific).
• The membrane-bound gs antigen was localized to the cell surface, often near sites of virus budding, but not on the envelope of murine C-type RNA virus.

Conclusions:

• Mammalian C-type RNA leukemia and sarcoma viruses share a common cell surface antigen.
• This shared antigen possesses both intraspecies- and interspecies-specific antigenic determinants.
• The findings contribute to the understanding of viral antigenicity and host-virus interactions in C-type retroviruses.