Retroviral entry mediated by receptor priming and low pH triggering of an envelope glycoprotein
Open accessAbstract
Avian leukosis virus (ALV) has been used as a model system to understand the mechanism of pH-independent viral entry involving receptor-induced conformational changes in the viral envelope (Env) glycoprotein that lead to membrane fusion. Here, we report the unexpected finding that ALV entry depends on a critical low pH step that was overlooked when this virus was directly compared to the classical pH-dependent influenza A virus. In contrast to influenza A virus, receptor interaction plays an essential role in priming ALV Env for subsequent low pH triggering. Our results reveal a novel principle in viral entry, namely that receptor interaction can convert a pH-insensitive viral glycoprotein to a form that is responsive to low pH.
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ALV and MMTV are exceptions among retroviruses because their entry mechanisms require a low pH step following receptor binding.
“However, ALV and MMTV are exceptions, as their entry mechanisms require a low pH step following receptor binding (Mothes et al. 2000, Ross 2000).”
From Beyond reverse transcription: molecular mechanisms and emerging paradigms in retroviral replication (2026) · cites this paper as Mothes et al. 2000
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A receptor for subgroup A Rous sarcoma virus is related to the low density lipoprotein receptor
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“These data show that the PCR-based assay reliablyTvb (Bates et al., 1993; Brojatsch et al., 1996; Adkins et al., 2000).”
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Beyond reverse transcription: molecular mechanisms and emerging paradigms in retroviral replication
Jehad, M. A., Ali, L. M., Pillai, V. N., Prabhu, S. G., Mustafa, F., & Rizvi, T. A. (2026) · FEMS Microbiology Reviews · doi:10.1093/femsre/fuaf066 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“However, ALV and MMTV are exceptions, as their entry mechanisms require a low pH step following receptor binding (Mothes et al. 2000 , Ross 2000 ).”
- Authors
- Mothes, W., Boerger, A. L., Narayan, S., Cunningham, J. M., & Young, J. A. T.
- Affiliations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Corresponding author
- Young, John A.T.
- Venue
- Cell
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2000-11
- Volume
- 103
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 679-689
- ISSN
- 0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2093661319
- Cited by
- 288
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 8 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 4.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Cell (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Cancer Institute (CA 70810, R01CA070810)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Virology › HIV Research and Treatment
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular transport and secretion
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and Retrovirus Studies
- Keywords
- avian leukosis virus, viral envelope glycoprotein, receptor priming, membrane fusion
- MeSH terms
- Avian Leukosis Virus, Glycoproteins, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Membrane Fusion, Protein Conformation, Receptors, Virus, Virus Replication, Gene Products, env, Giant Cells
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