The four serotypes of dengue recognize the same putative receptors in <it>Aedes aegypti </it>midgut and <it>Ae. albopictus </it>cells

• Main Authors: Camacho-Nuez Minerva, Díaz-Badillo Álvaro, Tovar Rosalinda, Esquinca-Avilés Héctor, Mercado-Curiel Ricardo F, Muñoz María
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-10-01
• Series: BMC Microbiology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2180/6/85
• ISSN: 1471-2180

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dengue viruses (DENV) attach to the host cell surface and subsequently enter the cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Several primary and low affinity co-receptors for this flavivirus have been identified. However, the presence of these binding molecules on the cell surface does not necessarily render the cell susceptible to infection. Determination of which of them serve as <it>bona fide </it>receptors for this virus in the vector may be relevant to treating DENV infection and in designing control strategies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>(1) Overlay protein binding assay showed two proteins with molecular masses of 80 and 67 kDa (R80 and R67). (2) Specific antibodies against these two proteins inhibited cell binding and infection. (3) Both proteins were bound by all four serotypes of dengue virus. (4) R80 and R67 were purified by affinity chromatography from <it>Ae. aegypti </it>mosquito midguts and from <it>Ae albopictus </it>C6/36 cells. (5) In addition, a protein with molecular mass of 57 kDa was purified by affinity chromatography from the midgut extracts. (6) R80 and R67 from radiolabeled surface membrane proteins of C6/36 cells were immunoprecipitated by antibodies against <it>Ae. aegypti </it>midgut.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results strongly suggest that R67 and R80 are receptors for the four serotypes of dengue virus in the midgut cells of <it>Ae. aegypti </it>and in C6/36 <it>Ae</it>. <it>albopictus </it>cells.</p>