Cholesterol depletion inactivates XMRV and leads to viral envelope protein release from virions: evidence for role of cholesterol in XMRV infection.

ABSTRACT: Membrane cholesterol plays an important role in replication of HIV-1 and other retroviruses. Here, we report that the gammaretrovirus XMRV requires cholesterol and lipid rafts for infection and replication. We demonstrate that treatment of XMRV with a low concentration (10 mM) of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2OHpβCD) partially depleted virion-associated cholesterol resulting in complete inactivation of the virus. This effect could not be reversed by adding cholesterol back to treated virions. Further analysis revealed that following cholesterol depletion, virus-associated Env protein was significantly reduced while the virions remained intact and retained core proteins. Increasing concentrations of 2OHpβCD (≥20 mM) resulted in loss of the majority of virion-associated cholesterol, causi

SUBMITTER: Tang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482229 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature