A RhoA-derived peptide inhibits syncytium formation induced by respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 3.

TitleA RhoA-derived peptide inhibits syncytium formation induced by respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 3.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsPastey M, Gower TL, Spearman PW, Crowe JE, Graham BS
JournalNature medicine
Volume6
Issue1
Pagination35-40
Date Published2000 Jan
ISSN1078-8956
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Animals, Cell Fusion, Cells, Cultured, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Giant Cells, Humans, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Molecular Sequence Data, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human, Peptide Fragments, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human, rhoA GTP-Binding Protein, Vaccinia virus
Abstract

The fusion glycoproteins of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human parainfluenza virus type-3 (PIV-3) mediate virus entry and syncytium formation. Interaction between the fusion protein of RSV and RhoA, a small GTPase, facilitates virus-induced syncytium formation. We show here a RhoA-derived peptide inhibits RSV and syncytium formation induced by RSV and PIV-3, both in vitro by inhibition of cell-to-cell fusion and in vivo by reduction of peak titer by 2 log10 in RSV-infected mice. These findings indicate that the interaction between these two paramyxovirus fusion proteins and RhoA is an important target for new antiviral strategies.
Alternate JournalNat. Med.