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Analysis of cellular receptors for human coronavirus OC43
C Krempl1, B Schultze, G Herrler
1Institut für Virologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany.
Insights
Three related coronaviruses, including human coronavirus OC43 (HCV-OC43), bind to N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2) on red blood cells. This specific sialic acid is crucial for viral attachment and infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bovine coronavirus (BCV), human coronavirus OC43 (HCV-OC43), and hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV) are serologically related and exhibit hemagglutinating activity.
- N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2) is identified as the receptor determinant for viral attachment to erythrocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the binding specificities of BCV, HCV-OC43, and HEV to 9-O-acetylated sialic acids.
- To investigate the role of Neu5,9Ac2 as a receptor determinant for HCV-OC43 in erythrocyte agglutination and cell infection.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of coronavirus binding to sialic acid derivatives.
- Erythrocyte agglutination assays.
- Cell culture experiments using MDCK I cells to assess viral attachment and infection.
Main Results:
- All three coronaviruses bind to Neu5,9Ac2 linked to galactose via either α2,3 or α2,6 linkages.
- Differences were observed in the minimal sialic acid concentration required for viral agglutination.
- HCV-OC43 utilizes Neu5,9Ac2 for both erythrocyte agglutination and infection of MDCK I cells.
Conclusions:
- The studied coronaviruses share a common receptor determinant, Neu5,9Ac2, for attachment.
- HCV-OC43 employs Neu5,9Ac2 as a critical receptor for both hemagglutination and cellular infection, highlighting its importance in viral pathogenesis.
Abstract:
Bovine coronavirus (BCV), human coronavirus OC43 (HCV-OC43) and hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV) are serologically related viruses that all have hemagglutinating activity. The receptor determinant for attachment to erythrocytes has been shown to be N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2). We compared the ability of the three coronaviruses to recognize 9-O-acetylated sialic acid and found that they all bind to Neu5,9Ac2 attached to galactose in either A2,3 or A2,6-linkage. There are, however, some differences in the minimum amount of sialic acid that is required on the cell surface for agglutination by these viruses. Evidence is presented that HCV-OC43 uses Neu5,9Ac2 as a receptor determinant not only for agglutination of erythrocytes but also for attachment to and infection of a cultured cell line, MDCK I cells.