Related Experiment Videos
Effect of polyions on the infectivity of SA-11 rotavirus in LCC-MK2 cells
F Superti1, M L Marziano, A Tinari
1Department of Ultrastructures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
We investigated the effect of different polyions on the early phases of SA-11 rotavirus infection in susceptible LLC-MK2 cells in order to clarify the influence of electrostatic interactions in rotavirus binding to cell membranes and to select antiviral compounds able to prevent viral attachment. When added during the viral attachment step, polymers having positive charge (protamine, protamine sulphate, DEAE-dextran, histone and poly-L-lysine hydrobromide) enhanced virus infection whereas those having negative charge (mucin, heparin, heparan sulphate, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and dextran sulphate) inhibited the viral replication. The effect of polyanions on SA-11 rotavirus and on cell membrane receptors has also been examined. Results obtained indicated that while mucin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein act directly on virus particles, the target of heparin, heparan sulphate and dextran sulphate is the host cell membrane.
Insights
Positively charged polyions enhance SA-11 rotavirus infection by promoting viral attachment, while negatively charged polyions inhibit infection by targeting virus particles or host cell membranes. This clarifies electrostatic interactions in viral entry.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding rotavirus entry mechanisms is crucial for developing antiviral therapies.
- Electrostatic interactions play a significant role in virus-host cell binding.
- SA-11 rotavirus is a common model for studying rotavirus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various polyions on early-stage SA-11 rotavirus infection.
- To elucidate the role of electrostatic forces in rotavirus attachment to cell membranes.
- To identify potential antiviral compounds that can block viral attachment.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of LLC-MK2 cells with SA-11 rotavirus in the presence of different charged polyions.
- Assessment of viral infection enhancement or inhibition.
- Examination of polyanion effects on both virus particles and host cell membranes.
Main Results:
- Positively charged polyions (e.g., protamine, DEAE-dextran) significantly enhanced rotavirus infection.
- Negatively charged polyions (e.g., mucin, heparin, dextran sulfate) inhibited viral replication.
- Some polyanions (mucin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein) acted on the virus, while others (heparin, heparan sulfate, dextran sulfate) targeted the host cell membrane.
Conclusions:
- Electrostatic interactions are critical determinants of SA-11 rotavirus attachment and infection.
- Charged polyions can modulate rotavirus infectivity by influencing viral binding or host cell receptors.
- These findings provide insights for designing antiviral strategies targeting viral attachment.