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CD46-mediated measles virus entry: a first key to host-range specificity

D Gerlier1, G Varior-Krishnan, P Devaux

  • 1Laboratoire Immunité et Infections Virales, I.V.M.C. CNRS-UCBL UMR30, Faculté de Médecine Alexis Carrel, Lyon, France.

Trends in Microbiology
|September 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Scientists identified CD46 as a key receptor for measles virus entry into human cells. Understanding this interaction, involving moesin, is crucial for developing new strategies against measles infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Measles virus (MeV) naturally infects only humans.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of MeV cell entry are not fully elucidated.
  • Identifying host cell receptors is critical for understanding viral tropism and pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the cellular receptor for measles virus.
  • To investigate the molecular players involved in MeV cell entry.
  • To explore the potential for developing novel antiviral strategies.

Main Methods:

  • The study focused on identifying the measles virus receptor on human cells.
  • Investigated the role of specific cellular proteins, including CD46 and moesin, in viral entry.
  • Utilized molecular biology techniques to confirm receptor-virus interactions.

Main Results:

  • CD46 was identified as a functional measles virus receptor.
  • The protein moesin was shown to be involved in the measles virus entry process.
  • These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of MeV cell entry.

Conclusions:

  • CD46 is a critical host factor for measles virus infection.
  • Understanding the CD46-mediated entry pathway is essential for developing MeV vaccines and therapeutics.
  • This knowledge may facilitate the creation of animal models for studying measles pathogenesis.

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