Identification and characterization of host cellular factors involved in rabies virus infection

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K07716
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Michihito 北海道大学, 人獣共通感染症リサーチセンター, 特任助教 (70609403)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 狂犬病ウイルス / 宿主因子 / スクリーニング / RNAi / ヘパラン硫酸 / 吸着因子 / ウイルス表面糖タンパク

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cellular host factors play critical roles in virus infection. To investigate the host factors involved in rabies virus infection, we have performed a large scale of RNAi screening and found 28 host genes. Next, we revealed that cellular heparan sulfate supports rabies virus attachment and subsequent entry into cells. The direct binding between rabies virus glycoprotein and heparan sulfate was demonstrated. The molecular mechanism of the interaction between rabies virus glycoprotein and heparan sulfate was analyzed in detail. Collectively, our study identified host factors potentially involved in rabies virus infection, and highlights a previously undescribed role of heparan sulfate as an attachment factor of rabies virus infection.

Free Research Field

獣医学、ウイルス学、分子生物学