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Putative dengue virus receptors from mosquito cells
M L Muñoz1, A Cisneros, J Cruz
1Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, CINVESTAV-1PN, México D.F., Mexico. lmunoz@gene.cinvestav.mx
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|December 3, 1998
Summary
Researchers identified two key proteins (80 and 67 kDa) on C6/36 cells that act as receptors for the dengue-2 virus. Antibodies targeting these cell membranes blocked virus binding, confirming their role in dengue virus infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Dengue viruses are single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted by arthropods, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of dengue virus entry into host cells is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the biochemical nature of dengue-2 virus receptors on the Aedes albopictus-derived cell line C6/36.
- To elucidate the molecular basis of dengue virus-mosquito cell interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the C6/36 cell line, derived from Aedes albopictus.
- Investigated the interaction of dengue-2 virus with cell surface polypeptides.
- Employed polyclonal antibodies against C6/36 cell membranes to block virus binding.
Main Results:
- Dengue-2 virus specifically interacts with two major polypeptides of 80 kDa and 67 kDa on C6/36 cells.
- Anti-C6/36 membrane antibodies effectively inhibited dengue-2 virus binding to both intact cells and membrane extracts.
- These findings strongly suggest that the identified polypeptides are integral components of the dengue-2 virus receptor complex.
Conclusions:
- The 80 kDa and 67 kDa polypeptides on C6/36 cells are identified as key components of the dengue-2 virus receptor.
- This discovery provides critical insights into the molecular interactions governing dengue virus transmission by Aedes mosquitoes.