Receptors for Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus and Murine Leukemia Virus in Infected Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Liu Meihong, Eiden Maribeth V
Primary Institution: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Hypothesis
Are the receptors for gibbon ape leukemia virus and amphotropic murine leukemia virus downregulated in productively infected cells?
Conclusion
The receptors for A-MLV and GALV remain on the surface of chronically infected cells and are not downregulated, indicating that receptor masking occurs instead.
Supporting Evidence
- Both GALV and A-MLV receptors remain detectable on the surface of chronically infected cells.
- Infected cells are unable to bind soluble A-MLV or GALV envelopes, indicating receptor binding sites are masked.
- Receptor masking does not completely prevent A-MLV or GALV superinfection.
Takeaway
When cells get infected by certain viruses, they can still have the virus's receptors on their surface, which means they can sometimes get infected again, even if it's not very common.
Methodology
The study used replication-competent viruses with GFP and fluorescence-labeled Gag proteins to assess receptor presence and viral envelope proteins on the cell surface.
Limitations
The study does not quantify the extent of receptor downregulation or masking in all cell types.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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