Low-pH-induced membrane fusion mediated by human metapneumovirus F protein is a rare, strain-dependent phenomenon

J Virol. 2008 Sep;82(17):8891-5. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00472-08. Epub 2008 Jul 2.

Abstract

Membrane fusion promoted by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) fusion (F) protein was suggested to require low pH (R. M. Schowalter, S. E. Smith, and R. E. Dutch, J. Virol. 80:10931-10941, 2006). Using prototype F proteins representing the four HMPV genetic lineages, we detected low-pH-dependent fusion only with some lineage A proteins and not with lineage B proteins. A glycine at position 294 was found responsible for the low-pH requirement in lineage A proteins. Only 6% of all HMPV lineage A F sequences have 294G, and none of the lineage B sequences have 294G. Thus, acidic pH is not a general trigger of HMPV F proteins for activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Membrane Fusion / genetics
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology*
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification
  • Metapneumovirus / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Viral Fusion Proteins