The sialic acid binding activity of the S protein facilitates infection by porcine transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus
2011

How S Protein Helps TGEV Infect Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Schwegmann-Weßels Christel, Bauer Sandra, Winter Christine, Enjuanes Luis, Laude Hubert, Herrler Georg

Primary Institution: Institute for Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Hypothesis

The study aims to determine the effect of sialic acid binding on the infection of cultured cells by TGEV under unfavorable conditions.

Conclusion

The sialic acid binding activity facilitates the infection by TGEV under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Supporting Evidence

  • Desialylation of cells reduced TGEV infectivity by more than 60% with a short adsorption time.
  • A TGEV mutant deficient in sialic acid binding showed a 77% lower titer than the parental virus after a 5 min adsorption time.
  • The Miller strain of TGEV showed a reduction in infectivity after neuraminidase treatment, similar to IBV.

Takeaway

This study found that a part of the virus helps it stick to cells, which is really important when conditions are tough for the virus.

Methodology

The infectivity of different viruses was analyzed by a plaque assay after treating cultured cells with neuraminidase or mock treatment.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1743-422X-8-435

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