Related Experiment Videos
Moesin: a cell membrane protein linked with susceptibility to measles virus infection
L M Dunster1, J Schneider-Schaulies, S Löffler
1Institut für Virologie und Immunbiologie, Würzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Measles virus is a highly contagious virus causing acute and persistent diseases in man, the receptor of which is still not well characterized. We have isolated a monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated mAb 119, which specifically inhibits measles virus infection of susceptible cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. This antibody precipitates a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 75 kDa from 125I surface-labeled cells and its epitope is present on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, human cell lines, and the African green monkey cell line Vero. Affinity chromatography of detergent-solubilized cell membrane proteins over a Sepharose column with covalently bound mAb 119 led to the partial purification of the 75-kDa protein. Preincubation of measles virus with this affinity-purified protein inhibited measles virus infection dose dependently. Amino acid microsequencing of this protein revealed its identity with the human membrane-organizing extension spike protein moesin, a protein intra- and extracellularly associated with the plasma membrane of cells. Subsequently, an antibody raised against purified moesin (mAb 38/87) was also found to specifically inhibit measles virus infection of susceptible cells and confirmed our data obtained with mAb 119. Our data suggest that moesin is acting as a receptor for measles virus.
Insights
Researchers identified moesin as a potential receptor for the measles virus. This discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing measles virus infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Measles virus is highly contagious, causing acute and persistent diseases.
- The specific receptor for measles virus on host cells remains poorly characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the cellular receptor for measles virus.
- To characterize the interaction between measles virus and its receptor.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (mAb 119) that inhibits measles virus infection.
- Affinity chromatography to purify the target protein.
- Amino acid microsequencing to identify the protein.
- Inhibition assays using purified protein and measles virus.
Main Results:
- mAb 119 precipitated a 75 kDa protein involved in measles virus infection.
- The 75 kDa protein was identified as moesin.
- Purified moesin inhibited measles virus infection.
- An antibody against moesin also inhibited measles virus infection.
Conclusions:
- Moesin is suggested to function as a receptor for the measles virus.
- This finding provides a molecular target for understanding and potentially blocking measles virus entry.