AGPAT1 is a novel Chikungunya virus receptor on human cells

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a medically important alphavirus. Identifying its receptor on human cells will aid in the development of novel antivirals. We have identified AGPAT1 as a novel CHIKV receptor on several human cells. We provide data showing the interaction of AGPAT1 with the E1 protein of CHIKV E1-E2 dimer present on the virion surface and identify the amino acid residues involved in the interaction. AGPAT1 was also shown to have a role in the binding and uptake of Ross River virus, another alphavirus. AGPAT1 is a protein involved in lipid metabolism and has not been reported to have a direct role in any virus infection or as a virus receptor. Thus, this work identifies AGPAT1 as a novel receptor for CHIKV on human cells and demonstrates that AGPAT1 has implications for understanding the virus pathogenesis and designing the receptor-blocking CHIKV antivirals.