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Carbohydrate composition of vesicular stomatitis virus
Journal of Virology
|March 1, 1971
Summary
Vesicular stomatitis virus contains four hexoses, two hexosamines, and significant neuraminic acid. Specific sugars like galactosamine and fucose are found in the virion membrane, not the glycoprotein.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Glycobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a model system for studying viral structure and replication.
- Understanding the carbohydrate composition of viruses is crucial for comprehending their assembly, function, and host interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the detailed sugar composition of purified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).
- To differentiate the carbohydrate content between the whole virion and its isolated glycoprotein.
Main Methods:
- Gas-liquid chromatography was employed to analyze the trimethylsilylated sugar residues.
- VSV was purified from viruses grown in L cells and chick embryo cells.
Main Results:
- The whole VSV virion contained glucose, galactose, mannose, fucose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and 34-40% neuraminic acid.
- Isolated viral glycoprotein lacked galactosamine and fucose, indicating their presence in other viral components, likely membrane glycolipids.
Conclusions:
- VSV virions possess a complex carbohydrate profile including hexoses, hexosamines, and substantial amounts of neuraminic acid.
- Galactosamine and fucose are associated with VSV membrane glycolipids rather than the viral glycoprotein.