Human and bovine coronaviruses recognize sialic acid-containing receptors similar to those of influenza C viruses.
Human coronavirus OC43 and bovine coronavirus elute from agglutinated chicken erythrocytes when incubated at 37 degrees C, suggesting the presence of a receptor-destroying enzyme. Moreover, bovine coronavirus exhibits an acetylesterase activity in vitro using bovine submaxillary mucin as substrate similar to the enzymatic activity found in influenza C viruses. Furthermore, pretreatment of erythrocytes with either influenza C virus or bovine coronavirus eliminates subsequent binding and agglutination by either coronaviruses or influenza C virus, whereas binding of influenza A virus remains intact. In addition, hemagglutination by coronaviruses can be inhibited by pretreatment of erythrocytes with Arthrobacter ureafaciens or Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase or by addition of sialic acid-containing gangliosides. These results suggest that, like influenza C viruses, human coronavirus OC43 and bovine coronavirus recognize O-acetylated sialic acid or a similar derivative as cell receptor.
Vlasak
R
R
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York, NY 10029.
Luytjes
W
W
Spaan
W
W
Palese
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003332:Coronaviridae / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009439:Neuraminidase; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
D011991:Receptors, Virus; D012794:Sialic Acids; D009439:Neuraminidase