Fusion of Erythrocytes by Sendai Virus Studied by Immuno-Freeze-Etching |
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| Authors: | Thomas B?chi Michel Aguet Calderon Howe |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Experimental Microbiology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland;Department of Microbiology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 |
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| Abstract: | Extensive fusion of human erythrocytes agglutinated by Sendai virus was observed after 30 s of incubation at 37 C. Electron microscopy of thin sections failed to reveal the presence of virions, viral fragments, or discrete viral antigens reactive with ferritin-labeled antibody at the sites of fusion. Immuno-freezeetching of membrane surfaces demonstrated the dispersal of viral envelope antigens from what appeared to be original sites of viral attachment. Virus-induced clustering of membrane glycoproteins was interpreted as resulting from interaction of viral antigens with membrane receptor proteins and forming the structural basis for fusion of membranes with one another. |
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