This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Barbanti-Brodano, G. Articles by La Placa, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Barbanti-Brodano, G. Articles by La Placa, M.

Inactivation of Polykaryocytogenic and Hemolytic Activities of Sendai Virus by Phospholipase B (Lysolecithinase)

Institute of Microbiology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy

ABSTRACT

Evidence is presented that lysolecithin is involved in the fusing and hemolytic activities of Sendai virus. Treatment of the virus with phospholipase B (lysolecithinase) specifically inactivates the hemolytic and fusing abilities, without affecting the infectivity and the capability of the virus to hemagglutinate and adsorb to cells. The possible identity of lysolecithin with the "cell fusion factor" of paramyxoviruses and the mechanism of cell fusion are discussed.