Flavivirus infection from mosquitoes in vitro reveals cell entry at the plasma membrane

Journal Article · Sun Jan 20 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.VIROL.2012.10.013· OSTI ID:22150094

Vancini, Ricardo ^[1]; Kramer, Laura D. ^[2]; Ribeiro, Mariana; Hernandez, Raquel ^[1]; Brown, Dennis ^[1]

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1. Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States)
2. Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, and School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY (United States)

Dengue and West Nile viruses are enveloped RNA viruses that belong to genus Flavivirus (family Flaviviridae) and are considered important mosquito-borne viral pathogenic agents worldwide. A potential target for intervention strategies is the virus cell entry mechanism. Previous studies of flavivirus entry have focused on the effects of biochemical and molecular inhibitors on viral entry leading to controversial conclusions suggesting that the process is dependent upon endocytosis and low pH mediated membrane fusion. In this study we analyzed the early events in the infection process by means of electron microscopy and immuno-gold labeling of viral particles during cell entry, and used as a new approach for infecting cells with viruses obtained directly from mosquitoes. The results show that Dengue and West Nile viruses may infect cells by a mechanism that involves direct penetration of the host cell plasma membrane as proposed for alphaviruses.

• OSTI ID: 22150094
• Journal Information: Virology, Journal Name: Virology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 435; ISSN VIRLAX; ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
IN VITRO
LABELLING
MEMBRANES
MOSQUITOES
PH VALUE
RNA
VIRUSES