Respiratory syncytial virus fuses with plasma membrane to infect primary cultures of bronchial epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of bronchiolitis in children under the age of five. RSV infection proceeds by fusion of the viral envelope with the target cell membrane, but it is unclear whether fusion occurs with plasma or endosomal membranes.

Methods

Entry and/or infection was studied in undifferentiated primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells. Synchronization of viral entry or infection was achieved by attaching the virus to the plasma membrane at temperatures of 4°C or 22°C. Cells in which entry events had occurred were identified by the enzymatic action of beta-lactamase M (BlaM) fused to the RSV P protein (BlaM-P) carried by rgRSV virions. BlaM cleaves the beta-lactam ring of CCF2 loaded into the cells, disrupting FRET and a

SUBMITTER: Cadena-Cruz C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11911548 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature