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Journal of Virology, October 2009, p. 10275-10279, Vol. 83, No. 19
0022-538X/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JVI.00949-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Ganglioside GT1b Is a Putative Host Cell Receptor for the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus{triangledown}

Kimberly D. Erickson,1 Robert L. Garcea,1* and Billy Tsai2*

Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 347 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309,1 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Room 3043, Ann Arbor, Michigan 481092

Received 13 May 2009/ Accepted 9 July 2009

The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was identified recently in human Merkel cell carcinomas, an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. Here, we identify a putative host cell receptor for MCPyV. We found that recombinant MCPyV VP1 pentameric capsomeres both hemagglutinated sheep red blood cells and interacted with ganglioside GT1b in a sucrose gradient flotation assay. Structural differences between the analyzed gangliosides suggest that MCPyV VP1 likely interacts with sialic acids on both branches of the GT1b carbohydrate chain. Identification of a potential host cell receptor for MCPyV will aid in the elucidation of its entry mechanism and pathophysiology.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address for R. L. Garcea: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, 347 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309. Phone: (303) 492-1669. Fax: (303) 492-1133. E-mail: robert.garcea{at}colorado.edu. Mailing address for B. Tsai: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Room 3043, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Phone: (734) 764-4167. Fax: (734) 764-5155. E-mail: btsai{at}umich.edu

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 15 July 2009.

Journal of Virology, October 2009, p. 10275-10279, Vol. 83, No. 19
0022-538X/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JVI.00949-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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