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Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 

Posttranslational modification of alpha-dystroglycan, the cellular receptor for arenaviruses, by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for virus binding.

The receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the human pathogenic Lassa fever virus (LFV), and clade C New World arenaviruses is alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG), a cell surface receptor for proteins of the extracellular matrix ( ECM). Specific posttranslational modification of alpha-DG by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for its function as an ECM receptor. In the present study, we show that LARGE-dependent modification is also crucial for alpha-DG's function as a cellular receptor for arenaviruses. Virus binding involves the mucin-type domain of alpha-DG and depends on modification by LARGE. A crucial role of the LARGE-dependent glycosylation of alpha-DG for virus binding is found for several isolates of LCMV, LFV, and the arenaviruses Mobala and Oliveros. Since the posttranslational modification by LARGE is crucial for alpha-DG recognition by both arenaviruses and the host-derived ligand laminin, it also influences competition between virus and laminin for alpha-DG. Hence, LARGE-dependent glycosylation of alpha-DG has important implications for the virus-host cell interaction and the pathogenesis of LFV in humans.[1]

References

  1. Posttranslational modification of alpha-dystroglycan, the cellular receptor for arenaviruses, by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for virus binding. Kunz, S., Rojek, J.M., Kanagawa, M., Spiropoulou, C.F., Barresi, R., Campbell, K.P., Oldstone, M.B. J. Virol. (2005) [Pubmed]
 
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