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Abstract
The enveloped morbilliviruses utilise conserved proteinaceous receptors to enter host cells: SLAMF1 or Nectin-4. Receptor binding is initiated by the viral attachment protein Haemagglutinin (H), with the viral Fusion protein (F) driving membrane fusion. Crystal structures of the prototypic morbillivirus measles virus H with either SLAMF1 or Nectin-4 are available and have served as the basis for improved understanding of this interaction. However, whether these interactions remain conserved throughout the morbillivirus genus requires further characterisation. Using a random mutagenesis approach, based on error-prone PCR, we targeted the putative receptor binding site for SLAMF1 interaction on peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) H, identifying mutations that inhibited virus-induced cell-cell fusion. These data, combined with structural modelling of the PPRV H and ovine SLAMF1 interaction, indicate this region is functionally conserved across all morbilliviruses. Error-prone PCR provides a powerful tool for functionally characterising functional domains within viral proteins.
- Received:
- Accepted:
- Published Online:
Funding
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Wellcome Trust
(Award 098406/Z/12/B)
- Principle Award Recipient: StephenGraham
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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(Award BBS/E/I/00007039)
- Principle Award Recipient: DalanBailey
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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(Award BBS/E/I/00007030)
- Principle Award Recipient: StephenGraham
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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(Award BBS/E/I/00007034)
- Principle Award Recipient: DalanBailey
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Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
(Award BB/R019843/1)
- Principle Award Recipient: DalanBailey