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Syncytin-1, a human fusogenic protein of retroviral origin, is crucial for placental syncytiotrophoblast formation. To mediate cell-to-cell fusion, Syncytin-1 requires specific interaction with its cognate receptor. Two trimeric transmembrane proteins, Alanine, Serine, Cysteine Transporters 1 and 2 (ASCT1 and ASCT2), were suggested and widely accepted as Syncytin-1 cellular receptors. To quantitatively assess the individual contributions of human ASCT1 and ASCT2 to the fusogenic activity of Syncytin-1, we developed a model system where the ASCT1 and ASCT2 double knockout was rescued by ectopic expression of either ASCT1 or ASCT2. We demonstrated that ASCT2 was required for Syncytin-1 binding, cellular entry, and cell-to-cell fusion, while ASCT1 was not involved in this receptor interaction. We experimentally validated the ASCT1-ASCT2 heterotrimers as a possible explanation for the previous misidentification of ASCT1 as a receptor for Syncytin-1. This redefinition of receptor specificity is important for proper understanding of Syncytin-1 function in normal and pathological pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 infects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, which are characterized by different temperatures (33°C and 37°C, respectively). In addition, fever is a common COVID-19 symptom. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to replicate more efficiently at low temperatures, but the effect of temperature on different viral proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how temperature affects the SARS-CoV-2 spike function and evolution. We first observed that increasing temperature from 33°C to 37°C or 39°C increased spike-mediated cell–cell fusion. We then experimentally evolved a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike at these different temperatures. We found that spike-mediated cell–cell fusion was maintained during evolution at 39°C but was lost in a high proportion of viruses that evolved at 33°C or 37°C. Consistently, sequencing of the spikes evolved at 33°C or 37°C revealed the accumulation of mutations around the furin cleavage site, a region that determines cell–cell fusion, whereas this did not occur in spikes evolved at 39°C. Finally, using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that disruption of the furin cleavage site had a temperature-dependent effect on spike-induced cell–cell fusion and viral fitness. Our results suggest that variations in body temperature may affect the activity and diversification of the SARS-CoV-2 spike.IMPORTANCEWhen it infects humans, SARS-CoV-2 is exposed to different temperatures (e.g., replication site and fever). Temperature has been shown to strongly impact SARS-CoV-2 replication, but how it affects the activity and evolution of the spike protein remains poorly understood. Here, we first show that high temperatures increase the SARS-CoV-2 spike fusogenicity. Then, we demonstrate that the evolution of the spike activity and variants depends on temperature. Finally, we show that the functional effect of specific spike mutations is temperature-dependent. Overall, our results suggest that temperature may be a factor influencing the activity and adaptation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike in vivo, which will help understanding viral tropism, pathogenesis, and evolution.

Proprotein convertases activate various envelope glycoproteins and participate in cellular entry of many viruses. We recently showed that the convertase furin is critical for the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, which requires cleavage of its spike protein (S) at two sites: S1/S2 and S2′. This study investigates the implication of the two cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 in SARS-CoV-2 entry. The assays used were cell-to-cell fusion in HeLa cells and pseudoparticle entry into Calu-3 cells. SKI-1 increased cell-to-cell fusion by enhancing the activation of SREBP-2, whereas PCSK9 reduced cell-to-cell fusion by promoting the cellular degradation of ACE2. SKI-1 activity led to enhanced S2′ formation, which was attributed to increased metalloprotease activity as a response to enhanced cholesterol levels via activated SREBP-2. However, high metalloprotease activity resulted in the shedding of S2′ into a new C-terminal fragment (S2″), leading to reduced cell-to-cell fusion. Indeed, S-mutants that increase S2″ formation abolished S2′ and cell-to-cell fusion, as well as pseudoparticle entry, indicating that the formation of S2″ prevents SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell fusion and entry. We next demonstrated that PCSK9 enhanced the cellular degradation of ACE2, thereby reducing cell-to-cell fusion. However, different from the LDLR, a canonical target of PCSK9, the C-terminal CHRD domain of PCSK9 is dispensable for the PCSK9-induced degradation of ACE2. Molecular modeling suggested the binding of ACE2 to the Pro/Catalytic domains of mature PCSK9. Thus, both cholesterol-regulating convertases SKI-1 and PCSK9 can modulate SARS-CoV-2 entry via two independent mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by measles virus variants (SSPE viruses) that results in eventual death. Amino acid substitution(s) in the viral fusion (F) protein are key for viral propagation in the brain in a cell-to-cell manner, a specific trait of SSPE viruses, leading to neuropathogenicity. In this study, we passaged an SSPE virus in cultured human neuronal cells and isolated an adapted virus that propagated more efficiently in neuronal cells and exhibited increased cell-to-cell fusion. Contrary to our expectation, the virus harbored mutations in the large protein, a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and in the phosphoprotein, its co-factor, rather than in the F protein. Our results imply that upregulated RNA polymerase activity, which increases F protein expression and cell-to-cell fusion, could be a viral factor that provides a growth advantage and contributes to the adaptation of SSPE viruses to neuronal cells. • An SSPE virus further adapted to neuronal cells by enhancing cell-to-cell infection. • Increase of fusogenicity of the F protein was not involved in the adaptation. • Upregulation of viral RNA polymerase (RdRp) promoted cell-to-cell infection. • Viral RdRp is a factor to cause adaptation of SSPE virus in neuronal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses and their hosts have coevolved for a long time. This coevolution places both the pathogen and the human immune system under selective pressure; on the one hand, the immune system has evolved to combat viruses and virally infected cells, while viruses have developed sophisticated mechanisms to escape recognition and destruction by the immune system. SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that is causing the current COVID-19 pandemic, has shown a remarkable ability to escape antibody neutralization, putting vaccine efficacy at risk. One of the virus's immune evasion strategies is mitochondrial sabotage: by causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial physiology is impaired, and the interferon antiviral response is suppressed. Seminal studies have identified an intra-cytoplasmatic pathway for viral infection, which occurs through the construction of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), hence enhancing infection and avoiding immune surveillance. Another method of evading immune monitoring is the disruption of the antigen presentation. In this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces MHC-I molecule expression: SARS-CoV-2's open reading frames (ORF 6 and ORF 8) produce viral proteins that specifically downregulate MHC-I molecules. All of these strategies are also exploited by other viruses to elude immune detection and should be studied in depth to improve the effectiveness of future antiviral treatments. Compared to the Wuhan strain or the Delta variant, Omicron has developed mutations that have impaired its ability to generate syncytia, thus reducing its pathogenicity. Conversely, other mutations have allowed it to escape antibody neutralization and preventing cellular immune recognition, making it the most contagious and evasive variant to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spike protein (S) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directs infection of the lungs and other tissues following its binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. For effective infection, the S protein is cleaved at two sites: S1/S2 and S29. The “priming” of the surface S protein at S1/S2 (PR...RAR...685↓) [the underlined basic amino acids refer to critical residues needed for the furin recognition] by furin has been shown to be important for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in cells and small-animal models. In this study, for the first time we unambiguously identified by proteomics the fusion activation site S29 as KPSKR...815↓ (the underlined basic amino acids refer to critical residues needed for the furin recognition) and demonstrated that this cleavage was strongly enhanced by ACE2 engagement with the S protein. Novel pharmacological furin inhibitors (BOS inhibitors) effectively blocked endogenous S protein processing at both sites in HeLa cells, and SARS-CoV-2 infection of lung-derived Calu-3 cells was completely prevented by combined inhibitors of furin (BOS) and type II transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) (camostat). Quantitative analyses of cell-tocell fusion and S protein processing revealed that ACE2 shedding by TMPRSS2 was required for TMPRSS2-mediated enhancement of fusion in the absence of S1/S2 priming. We further demonstrated that the collectrin dimerization domain of ACE2 was essential for the effect of TMPRSS2 on cell-to-cell fusion. Overall, our results indicate that furin and TMPRSS2 act synergistically in viral entry and infectivity, supporting the combination of furin and TMPRSS2 inhibitors as potent antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The membrane-associated RING-CH 8 protein (MARCH8), a member of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family, has broad-spectrum antiviral activity. However, some viruses hijack MARCH8 to promote virus replication, highlighting its dual role in the viral lifecycle. Most studies on MARCH8 have focused on RNA viruses, leaving its role in DNA viruses largely unexplored. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a large DNA virus that poses a potential threat to humans. In this study, we found that MARCH8 inhibited PRV replication at the cell-to-cell fusion stage. Interestingly, our findings proved that MARCH8 blocks gB cleavage by recruiting furin but this activity does not inhibit viral infection in vitro. Furthermore, we confirmed that MARCH8 inhibits cell-to-cell fusion independent of its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity but dependent on the interaction with the cell-to-cell fusion complex (gB, gD, gH, and gL). Finally, we discovered that the distribution of the cell-to-cell fusion complex is significantly altered and trapped within the trans-Golgi network. Overall, our results indicate that human MARCH8 acts as a potent antiviral host factor against PRV via trapping the cell-to-cell fusion complex in the trans-Golgi network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH) family of proteins are members of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family and are essential for a variety of biological functions. Currently, MARCH proteins are discovered to execute antiviral functions by directly triggering viral protein degradation or blocking the furin cleavage of viral class I fusion proteins. Here, we report a novel antiviral mechanism of MARCH1 and MARCH2 (MARCH1/2) in the replication of Pseudorabies virus (PRV), a member of the Herpesviridae family. We discovered MARCH1/2 restrict PRV replication at the cell-to-cell fusion step. Furthermore, MARCH1/2 block gB cleavage, and this is dependent on their E3 ligase activity. Interestingly, the blocking of gB cleavage by MARCH1/2 does not contribute to their antiviral activity in vitro. We discovered that MARCH1/2 are associated with the cell-to-cell fusion complex of gB, gD, gH, and gL and trap these viral proteins in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) rather than degrading them. Overall, we conclude that MARCH1/2 inhibit PRV by trapping the viral cell-to-cell fusion complex in TGN. • MARCH1/2 inhibit pseudorabies virus replication. • MARCH1/2 restrict PRV replication at the cell-to-cell fusion step. • MARCH1/2 block gB cleavage, and this is dependent on their E3 ligase activity. • Blocking of gB cleavage by MARCH1/2 does not contribute to their antiviral activity in vitro. • MARCH1/2 trap the cell-to-cell fusion complex in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTPorcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a newly emerging threat to the global porcine industry. PDCoV has been successfully isolated using various medium additives including trypsin, and although we know it is important for viral replication, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we systematically investigated the role of trypsin in PDCoV replication including cell entry, cell-to-cell membrane fusion and virus release. Using pseudovirus entry assays, we demonstrated that PDCoV entry is not trypsin dependent. Furthermore, unlike porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), in which trypsin is important for the release of virus from infected cells, PDCoV release was not affected by trypsin. We also demonstrated that trypsin promotes PDCoV replication by enhancing cell-to-cell membrane fusion. Most importantly, our study illustrates two distinct spreading patterns from infected cells to uninfected cells during PDCoV transmission, and the role of trypsin in PDCoV replication in cells with different virus spreading types. Overall, these results clarify that trypsin promotes PDCoV replication by mediating cell-to-cell fusion transmission but is not crucial for viral entry. This knowledge can potentially contribute to improvement of virus production efficiency in culture, not only for vaccine preparation but also to develop antiviral treatments.

Viruses and their hosts have coevolved for a long time. This coevolution places both the pathogen and the human immune system under selective pressure; on the one hand, the immune system has evolved to combat viruses and virally infected cells, while viruses have developed sophisticated mechanisms to escape recognition and destruction by the immune system. SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that is causing the current COVID-19 pandemic, has shown a remarkable ability to escape antibody neutralization, putting vaccine efficacy at risk. One of the virus’s immune evasion strategies is mitochondrial sabotage: by causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial physiology is impaired, and the interferon antiviral response is suppressed. Seminal studies have identified an intra-cytoplasmatic pathway for viral infection, which occurs through the construction of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), hence enhancing infection and avoiding immune surveillance. Another method of evading immune monitoring is the disruption of the antigen presentation. In this scenario, SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces MHC-I molecule expression: SARS-CoV-2’s open reading frames (ORF 6 and ORF 8) produce viral proteins that specifically downregulate MHC-I molecules. All of these strategies are also exploited by other viruses to elude immune detection and should be studied in depth to improve the effectiveness of future antiviral treatments. Compared to the Wuhan strain or the Delta variant, Omicron has developed mutations that have impaired its ability to generate syncytia, thus reducing its pathogenicity. Conversely, other mutations have allowed it to escape antibody neutralization and preventing cellular immune recognition, making it the most contagious and evasive variant to date.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5 y of age. In the absence of a safe and effective vaccine and with limited options for therapeutic interventions, uncontrolled epidemics of RSV occur annually worldwide. Existing RSV reverse genetics systems have been predominantly based on older laboratoryadapted strains such as A2 or Long. These strains are not representative of currently circulating genotypes and have a convoluted passage history, complicating their use in studies on molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis and intervention strategies. In this study, we have generated reverse genetics systems for clinical isolates of RSV-A (ON1, 0594 strain) and RSV-B (BA9, 9671 strain) in which the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) copy of the viral antigenome is cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Additional recombinant (r) RSVs were rescued expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), mScarlet, or NanoLuc luciferase from an additional transcription unit inserted between the P and M genes. Mutations in antigenic site II of the F protein conferring escape from palivizumab neutralization (K272E, K272Q, S275L) were investigated using quantitative cell-fusion assays and rRSVs via the use of BAC recombineering protocols. These mutations enabled RSV-A and -B to escape palivizumab neutralization but had differential impacts on cell-to-cell fusion, as the S275L mutation resulted in an almost-complete ablation of syncytium formation. These reverse genetics systems will facilitate future cross-validation efficacy studies of novel RSV therapeutic intervention strategies and investigations into viral and host factors necessary for virus entry and cell-to-cell spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in genome sequencing techniques have led to the identification of huge numbers of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) in various mammals. ERVs, which occupy 8%–13% of mammalian genomes, are believed to affect mammalian evolution and biological diversity. Although the functional significance of most ERVs remains to be elucidated, several ERVs are thought to have pivotal roles in host physiology. We and other groups recently identified ERV envelope proteins (e.g., Fematrin-1, Syncytin-Rum1, endogenous Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus Env) that may determine the morphogenesis of the unique fused trophoblast cells, termed trinucleate cells and syncytial plaques, found in ruminant placentas; however, there are still a number of outstanding issues with regard to the role of ERVs that remain to be resolved. Here, we review what is known about how these ERVs have contributed to the development of ruminant-specific trophoblast cells.

Highlights • Differentiated keratinocytes can form multinucleated giant cell with HSV-1 infection. • HSV-1 infected differentiated keratinocytes can disrupt the adjacent plasma membrane. • Undifferentiated keratinocytes form single nuclear round shape with HSV-1 infection. • HSV-1 can enter the undifferentiated keratinocytes more effectively. • HSV-1 can replicate more efficiently in differentiated keratinocytes. Abstract Background Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the skin causes small grouped vesicles characterized by acantholytic cells and multinucleated giant cells (MGCs). Although viral factors have been studied as fusion proteins, little is known how the differentiation status of keratinocytes is involved in the formation of MGCs by HSV-1 infection. Objective As the human epidermis is composed of several layers of keratinocytes that undergo terminal differentiation, we aimed to elucidate whether the differentiation status of keratinocytes affects viral entry, propagation, cell-to-cell transmission of HSV-1, and MGC formation. Methods HaCaT cells and normal human epidermal keratinocytes were cultured in either low- or high-Ca2+ medium. After HSV-1 infection, cellular morphology, viral propagation, and expression of cytoskeletal and intercellular adhesion molecules were examined sequentially. Viral entry, replication, and expression of HSV receptors were analyzed. Cell-to-cell transmission and fusion after HSV-1 infection was evaluated using the Cell Tracker™ Red CMTPX dye system. Results Keratinocytes in high-Ca2+ medium formed MGCs, but those in low-Ca2+ medium formed single nuclear round cells in response to HSV-1 infection. HSV-1 entered the keratinocytes more effectively in low-Ca2+ than in high-Ca2+ medium, although transcripts of HSV receptors were comparable in both conditions. HSV-1 could replicate more efficiently in high-Ca2+ than in low-Ca2+ medium. A cell-to-cell fusion assay showed that HSV-1-infected and adjacent-uninfected keratinocytes were involved in MGCs in high-Ca2+ but not in low-Ca2+ medium. Conclusion Differentiated keratinocytes promote MGC formation by cell-to-cell fusion with resolution of cell membrane and cell-to-cell transmission of HSV-1 from infected keratinocytes to neighboring uninfected keratinocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone mass is determined by coordinated acts of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which control bone formation and resorption, respectively. Osteoclasts are multinucleated, macrophage/monocyte lineage cells from bone marrow. The Dok-family adaptors Dok-1, Dok-2 and Dok-3 are expressed in the macrophage/monocyte lineage and negatively regulate many signaling pathways, implying roles in osteoclastogenesis. Indeed, mice lacking Dok-1 and Dok-2, the closest homologues with redundant functions, develop osteopenia with increased osteoclast counts compared to the wild-type controls. Here, we demonstrate that Dok-3 knockout (KO) mice also develop osteopenia. However, Dok-3 KO, but not Dok-1/-2 double-KO (DKO), mice develop larger osteoclasts within the normal cell-count range, suggesting a distinctive role for Dok-3. Indeed, Dok-3 KO, but not Dok-1/-2 DKO, bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) generated larger osteoclasts with more nuclei due to augmented cell-to-cell fusion in vitro. In addition, while Dok-1/-2 DKO BMDCs generated more osteoclasts, Dok-1/-2/-3 triple-KO (TKO) BMDCs generated osteoclasts increased in both number and size. Furthermore, Dok-1/-2/-3 TKO mice showed the combined effects of Dok-3 and Dok-1/-2 deficiency: severe osteopenia with more and larger osteoclasts. Together, our findings demonstrate that Dok-3 and Dok-1/-2 play distinctive but cooperative roles in osteoclastogenesis and protect mice from osteopenia, providing physiological and pathophysiological insight into bone homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), caused by peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), is an acute or subacute, highly contagious and economically important disease of small ruminants. The PPRV is classified into the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae . The PPRV matrix (M) protein possesses an intrinsic ability to bind to lipid membranes, and plays a crucial role in viral assembly and further budding. In this study, three different small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were designed on the basis of translated region for PPRV Nigeria 75/1 M mRNA, and were subsequently synthesized for their transfection into Vero-SLAM cells, followed by infection with PPRVs. The results showed that two out of three siRNAs robustly induced cell-to-cell fusion as early as 36 h post-infection with PPRVs, effectively suppressed expression of the M protein by interference for the M mRNA, and eventually inhibited viral replication in vitro . These findings led us to speculate that siRNA-mediated knockdown of the M protein would alter its interaction with viral glycoproteins, thus exacerbating intercellular fusion but hampering virus release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In female patients who have undergone sex-mismatched peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, solid-organ tissue cells have been identified that carry the Y-chromosome. How genetic material from circulating cells is acquired by solid-organ tissue cells is debated. The purpose of this study was to provide clinical evidence for cell fusion between circulating cells and solid-organ tissue cells. Material & methods: The clinical model was a male-into-female blood stem cell transplantation setting using the Y-chromosome as a blood-derived cell marker and the patient's BCR/ABL fusion gene. Endometrial cells were chosen as the target cells because of their uniquely female genotype. Results: The Y-chromosome and the BCR/ABL fusion gene were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization and were colocalized with estrogen receptor-staining endometrial cells. Both donor-derived Y-chromosome and patient-derived fusion gene were identified in the same endometrial cells, thereby indicating cell fusion as the mechanism for genetic material transfer in a clinical setting. Conclusion: These findings contribute to our understanding of how blood-derived cells interact with solid-organ tissue cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We previously described envelope glycoproteins of an HIV-1 isolate adapted in vitro for growth in microglia that acquired a highly fusogenic phenotype and lower CD4 dependence, as well as resistance to inhibition by anti-CD4 antibodies. Here, we investigated whether similar phenotypic changes are present in vivo. Envelope clones from the brain and spleen of an HIV-1-infected individual with neurological disease were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated clustering of sequences according to the tissue of origin, as expected. Functional clones were then used in cell-to-cell fusion assays to test for CD4 and co-receptor utilization and for sensitivity to various antibodies and inhibitors. Both brain- and spleen-derived envelope clones mediated fusion in cells expressing both CD4 and CCR5 and brain envelopes also used CCR3 as co-receptor. We found that the brain envelopes had a lower CD4 dependence, since they efficiently mediated fusion in the presence of low levels of CD4 on the target cell membrane, and they were significantly more resistant to blocking by anti-CD4 antibodies than the spleen-derived envelopes. In contrast, we observed no difference in sensitivity to the CCR5 antagonist TAK-779. However, brain-derived envelopes were significantly more resistant than those from spleen to the fusion inhibitor T-1249 and concurrently showed slightly greater fusogenicity. Our results suggest an increased affinity for CD4 of brain-derived envelopes that may have originated from in vivo adaptation to replication in microglial cells. Interestingly, we note the presence of envelopes more resistant to a fusion inhibitor in the brain of an untreated, HIV-1-infected individual. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 (HIV-1) mediated cell-to-cell fusion plays an important role in HIV-1 spread from infected cells to uninfected cells and in HIV-1 cytopathogenesis. In the present study, we developed a convenient cell fusion assay using a computer-controlled digital image analysis system (DIAS) for automatic quantitation. Compared with a manual quantitative method, DIAS automatic method is less laborious, and more rapid. Furthermore, it is more objective and less dependent on the researchers’ experience. This method has great potential to be developed further as a high-throughput screening assay for rapid screening of HIV-1 fusion inhibitors, for evaluating the activity of HIV-1 entry inhibitors and for studying the mechanism of action of anti-HIV-1 agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cleavage and fusion properties of recombinant murine hepatitis viruses (MHV) were examined to assess the role of the cleavage signal in determining the extent of S protein cleavage, and the correlation between cleavage and induction of cell-to-cell fusion. Targeted recombination was used to introduce amino acid substitutions into the cleavage signal of the fusion glycoprotein (spike or S protein) of MHV strain A59. The recombinants were then used to address the question of the importance of S protein cleavage and viral-mediated cell-to-cell fusion on pathogenicity. Our data indicate that cleavage of spike is not solely determined by the amino acid sequence at the cleavage site, but may also depend on sequences removed from the cleavage site. In addition, efficient cell-to-cell fusion is not necessary for virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measles viruses (MV) can be isolated from the brains of deceased subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients only in a cell-associated form. These viruses are often defective in the matrix (M) protein and always seem to have an altered fusion protein cytoplasmic tail. We reconstituted a cell-free, infectious M-less MV (MV-· M) from cDNA. In comparison with standard MV, MV-· M was considerably more efficient at inducing cell-to-cell fusion but virus titres were reduced ∼250-fold. In MV-· M-induced syncytia the ribonucleocapsids and glycoproteins largely lost co-localization, confirming the role of M protein as the virus assembly organizer. Genetically modified mice were inoculated with MV-· M or with another highly fusogenic virus bearing glycoproteins with shortened cytoplasmic tails (MV-· tails). MV-· M and MV-· tails lost acute pathogenicity but penetrated more deeply into the brain parenchyma than standard MV. We suggest that enhanced cell fusion may also favour the propagation of mutated, assembly-defective MV in human brains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]