Identification of a Domain within the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 2 Envelope Required for Syncytium Induction and Replication

  • Poon B
  • Chen I
9Citations
Citations of this article
7Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

In vitro infection by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) can result in syncytium formation, facilitating viral entry. Using cell lines that were susceptible to HTLV-2-mediated syncytium formation but were nonfusogenic with HTLV-1, we constructed chimeric envelopes between HTLV-1 and -2 and assayed for the ability to induce syncytia in BJAB cells and HeLa cells. We have identified a fusion domain composed of the first 64 amino acids at the amino terminus of the HTLV-2 transmembrane protein, p21, the retention of which was required for syncytium induction. Construction of replication-competent HTLV genomic clones allowed us to correlate the ability of HTLV-2 to induce syncytia with the ability to replicate in BJAB cells. Differences in the ability to induce syncytia were not due to differences in the levels of total or cell membrane-associated envelope or in the formation of multimers. Therefore, we have localized a fusion domain within the amino terminus of the transmembrane protein of HTLV-2 envelope that is necessary for syncytium induction and viral replication.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Poon, B., & Chen, I. S. Y. (1998). Identification of a Domain within the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 2 Envelope Required for Syncytium Induction and Replication. Journal of Virology, 72(3), 1959–1966. https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.72.3.1959-1966.1998

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free