Analysis of Fusion Using a Virus-Free Cell Fusion Assay
For enveloped viruses, such as viruses within the herpesvirus family, of which Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member, infection of target cells includes two distinct steps. The first is characterized by the binding of viral envelope glycoproteins to host cellular receptors. After binding, the viral membrane and the cellular membrane fuse. Without both binding and fusion, the virus is not able to enter the host target cell efficiently. Combined with the specific tropism of EBV for primarily two cell types, B lymphocytes and epithelial cells, and the difficulty in inducing lytic replication of EBV in vitro, there is a lack of a good experimental model to study EBV-induced viral fusion. To study fusion more efficiently and effectively, we have employed a virus-free cell-cell fusion assay. In the effector cell, the viral glycoproteins and a plasmid containing the T7 promoter, driving the luciferase gene, are expressed. In the target cell type, T7 RNA polymerase is transfected. Fusion is quantitated by the amount of luciferase expression after mixing of the two cell types. Alongside the fusion assay, a CELISA is performed to determine glycoprotein expression on the effector cells. This methodology has been useful in studying membrane fusion induced by other herpesvirus family members.
- In Silico Tools for qPCR Assay Design and Data Analysis
- RNAi-Based Functional Pharmacogenomics
- Measuring Spatial Restraints on Native Protein Complexes Using Isotope-Tagged Chemical Cross-Linking and Mass Spectrometry
- High-Throughput Approaches for MicroRNA Expression Analysis
- Receptor-Directed Molecular Conjugates for Gene Transfer
- Differential Methylation Hybridization Using CpG Island Arrays
- Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer: An Emerging Tool for the Detection of ProteinProtein Interaction in Living Cells
- Overexpression of Chromosomal Genes in Escherichia coli
- Recombinant Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vectors: Preparation and Use
- Determination of the DNA Sequence Specificity of Alkylation Damage Using Cleavage-Based Assays