Syncytia formation affects the yield and cytotoxicity of an adenovirus expressing a fusogenic glycoprotein at a late stage of replication.
Fusogenic membrane glycoproteins (FMGs) may enhance the cytotoxicity of conditionally replicative adenoviruses. However, expression at early stages of infection impairs virus replication. We have inserted the hyperfusogenic form of the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) envelope glycoprotein as a new splice unit of the major late promoter (MLP) to generate a replication-competent adenovirus expressing this protein. At high multiplicity of infection (MOI), this virus replicated efficiently forming clumps of fused cells and showing a faster release. In contrast, at low MOI, infected cells formed syncytia where only one nucleus contained virus DNA, decreasing total virus production but increasing cytotoxicity.
Guedan
S
S
Translational Research Laboratory, IDIBELL-Institut Català d'Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Gros
A
A
Cascallo
M
M
Vile
R
R
Mercade
E
E
Alemany
R
R
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015870:Gene Expression; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017989:Leukemia Virus, Gibbon Ape / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050130:Oncolytic Virotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D019076:Transgenes; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication
D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins