title: Charge and pH effect on the early events of Epstein-Barr virus fusion with lymphoblastoid cells (Raji).
abstract: Fusion of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Raji cells was measured after exposure of the virus to neutral or low pH, enzymatic modification of the viral spike glycoproteins, or chemical modification of the target membrane. The relief of octadecylrhodamine (R18) fluorescence self-quenching was used to monitor fusion. Fusion of EBV with Raji cells at pH 5.9 was significantly enhanced compared to that at neutral pH. Treatment of Raji cells with agents known to modify the surface net charge (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) totally prevented fusion at a neutral pH. Desialylation of EBV significantly reduced the extent of fusion with Raji cells. Our results demonstrate that EBV is rapidly internalized and then fuses with lymphoblastoid cells in the endocytic vesicles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faggioni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zompetta
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Ros
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lisi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravagnan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005453:Fluorescence; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012794:Sialic Acids; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid