Membrane cofactor protein with different types of N-glycans can serve as measles virus receptor

Virology. 1995 Jul 10;210(2):479-81. doi: 10.1006/viro.1995.1365.

Abstract

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) has been shown to act as a cellular receptor for measles virus. In previous binding studies we demonstrated a direct interaction between the measles virus H protein and MCP. The binding was shown to be independent of the O-glycans but dependent on the N-glycans of MCP. To elucidate the role of N-glycans for the receptor function of MCP, the effect of the glycosylation inhibitors tunicamycin (TM) and 1-deoxymannojirimycin (DMJ) was analyzed. TM which prevents N-glycosylation has been reported to inhibit the expression of functional measles virus receptors. Here we show that MCP lacking all N-glycans was detectable on the surface of Vero cells, although in a reduced amount. Therefore, the lack of receptor activity cannot be explained by intracellular degradation or defective transport. In the presence of DMJ, a mannosidase I inhibitor, MCP is synthesized with N-glycans of the high-mannose type in contrast to the complex oligosaccharides present on MCP of untreated cells. Both MCP with mannose-rich and MCP with complex N-glycans were recognized by measles virus H protein in an in vitro binding assay. They both could also serve as receptors for the infection of cultured Vero cells, arguing against a direct binding of virus to a carbohydrate moiety within the N-glycans of MCP. We propose that N-linked oligosaccharides are required to maintain a conformation-dependent receptor determinant of MCP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Glycosylation
  • Mannose
  • Measles virus / metabolism*
  • Membrane Cofactor Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Polysaccharides / analysis*
  • Receptors, Virus / chemistry
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism*
  • Tunicamycin
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Membrane Cofactor Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Polysaccharides
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Tunicamycin
  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin
  • Mannose