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Title: GLUT-1-independent infection of the glioblastoma/astroglioma U87 cells by the human T cell leukemia virus type 1

Journal Article · · Virology
OSTI ID:20850560
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Neurology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210029 (China)
  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Rm 420, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (United States)
  3. Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Rm 420, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (United States) and Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (United States)

The human glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1) functions as a receptor for human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV). GLUT-1 is a twelve-transmembrane cell surface receptor with six extracellular (ECL) and seven intracellular domains. To analyze HTLV-1 cytotropism, we utilized polyclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the large extracellular domain of GLUT-1. The antibodies caused significant blocking of envelope (Env)-mediated fusion and pseudotyped virus infection of HeLa cells but had no significant effect on infection of U87 cells. This differential effect correlated with the detection of high-level surface expression of GLUT-1 on HeLa cells and very weak staining of U87 cells. To investigate this in terms of viral cytotropism, we cloned GLUT-1 cDNA from U87 cells and isolated two different versions of cDNA clones: the wild-type sequence (encoding 492 residues) and a mutant cDNA with a 5-base pair deletion (GLUT-1{delta}5) between nucleotides 1329 and 1333. The deletion, also detected in genomic DNA, resulted in a frame-shift and premature termination producing a truncated protein of 463 residues. Transfection of the wild-type GLUT-1 but not GLUT-1{delta}5 cDNA into CHO cells resulted in efficient surface expression of the human GLUT-1. Co-expression of GLUT-1 with GLUT-1{delta}5 produces a trans-inhibition by GLUT-1{delta}5 of GLUT-1-mediated HTLV-1 envelope (Env)-mediated fusion. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated physical interaction of the wild-type and mutant proteins. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated lower GLUT-1 RNA expression in U87 cells. We propose two mechanisms to account for the impaired cell surface expression of GLUT-1 on U87 cells: low GLUT-1 RNA expression and the formation of GLUT-1/GLUT-1{delta}5 heterodimers that are retained intracellularly. Significant RNAi-mediated reduction of endogenous GLUT-1 expression impaired HTLV-1 Env-mediated fusion with HeLa cells but not with U87 cells. We propose a GLUT-1-independent mechanism of HTLV-1 infection of U87 cells. The results may have important implications for HTLV-1 neurotropism and pathogenesis.

OSTI ID:
20850560
Journal Information:
Virology, Vol. 353, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.05.003; PII: S0042-6822(06)00305-9; Copyright (c) 2006 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0042-6822
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English