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J Virol. 1973 June; 11(6): 1004-1012
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Fusion of Erythrocytes by Sendai Virus Studied by Immuno-Freeze-Etching

Division of Experimental Microbiology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Zürich, Switzerland
Department of Microbiology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

ABSTRACT

Extensive fusion of human erythrocytes agglutinated by Sendai virus was observed after 30 s of incubation at 37 C. Electron microscopy of thin sections failed to reveal the presence of virions, viral fragments, or discrete viral antigens reactive with ferritin-labeled antibody at the sites of fusion. Immuno-freezeetching of membrane surfaces demonstrated the dispersal of viral envelope antigens from what appeared to be original sites of viral attachment. Virus-induced clustering of membrane glycoproteins was interpreted as resulting from interaction of viral antigens with membrane receptor proteins and forming the structural basis for fusion of membranes with one another.