Fusion of enveloped viruses with sperm cells: Interaction of sendai, influenza, and semliki forest viruses with bull spermatozoa

Ofer Nussbaum, Judith Laster, Abraham Loyter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Incubation of fluorescently labeled Sendai, influenza, as well as Semliki Forest viruses with bull sperm cells resulted in fluorescence dequenching. Fluorescence dequenching was observed with Sendai virus at pH 7.4 while with influenza and Semliki Forest viruses at pH 5.0, a pH value which is required for triggering their fusogenic activity. Control experiments performed with nonfusogenic Sendai and influenza viruses, or with bull sperm cells from which the viral receptors have been removed by treatment with neuraminidase, showed little fluorescence dequenching. These results clearly indicate that animal enveloped viruses are able to interact and to fuse with bull sperm cells. The possibility that following virus-sperm fusion spermatozoa can serve as a carrier of the virus genome and introduce it into recipient eggs during fertilization is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11-15
Number of pages5
JournalExperimental Cell Research
Volume206
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1993

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fusion of enveloped viruses with sperm cells: Interaction of sendai, influenza, and semliki forest viruses with bull spermatozoa'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this