The hr1 and fusion peptide regions of the subgroup B avian sarcoma and leukosis virus envelope glycoprotein influence low pH-dependent membrane fusion.

Abstract

The avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) is activated to trigger fusion by a two-step mechanism involving receptor-priming and low pH fusion activation. In order to identify regions of ASLV Env that can regulate this process, a genetic selection method was used to identify subgroup B (ASLV-B) virus-infected cells resistant to low pH-triggered fusion when incubated with cells expressing the cognate TVB receptor. The subgroup B viral Env (envB) genes were then isolated from these cells and characterized by DNA sequencing. This led to identification of two frequent EnvB alterations which allowed TVB receptor-binding but altered the pH-threshold of membrane fusion activation: a 13 amino acid deletion in the host range 1 (hr1) region of the surface (SU) EnvB subunit, and the A32V amino acid change within the fusion peptide of the transmembrane (TM) EnvB subunit. These data indicate that these two regions of EnvB can influence the pH threshold of fusion activation.

• Authors: Angeline Rose Babel, James Bruce, John A T Young
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 2 Issue 1 Pg. e171 (Jan 24 2007) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17245447 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Gene Products, env
• Peptides
• Viral Fusion Proteins

Topics

• Alpharetrovirus (genetics, metabolism)
• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Cell Fusion
• Cell Line
• Chickens
• Gene Products, env (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Membrane Fusion (physiology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Mutation
• Peptides (genetics, metabolism)
• Viral Fusion Proteins (genetics, metabolism)