The KGD motif of Epstein-Barr virus gH/gL is bifunctional, orchestrating infection of B cells and epithelial cells

mBio. 2012 Jan 3;3(1):e00290-11. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00290-11. Print 2012.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family, is the causative agent of common human infections and specific malignancies. EBV entry into target cells, including B cells and epithelial cells, requires the interaction of multiple virus-encoded glycoproteins. Glycoproteins H and L (gH/gL) cooperate with glycoprotein B (gB) to mediate fusion of the viral envelope with target cell membranes. Both the gH/gL complex and gB are required for fusion, whereas glycoprotein 42 (gp42) acts as a tropism switch and is required for B cell infection and inhibits epithelial cell infection. Our previous studies identified a prominent KGD motif located on the surface of gH/gL. In the current study, we found that this motif serves as a bifunctional domain on the surface of gH/gL that directs EBV fusion of B cells and epithelial cells. Mutation of the KGD motif to AAA decreased fusion with both epithelial and B cells and reduced the binding of gH/gL to epithelial cells and to gp42. We also demonstrate that deletion of amino acids 62 to 66 of gp42 selectively reduces binding to wild-type gH/gL, but not the KGD mutant, suggesting that the KGD motif of gH/gL interacts with the N-terminal amino acids 62 to 66 of gp42.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial Cells / virology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / chemistry
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • glycoprotein H, Herpesvirus 4
  • glycoprotein L, Human herpesvirus 4