Stochastic entry of enveloped viruses: fusion versus endocytosis. 2007

Tom Chou
Department of Biomathematics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. tomchou@ucla.edu

Infection by membrane-enveloped viruses requires the binding of receptors on the target cell membrane to glycoproteins, or "spikes," on the viral membrane. The initial entry mechanism is usually classified as fusogenic or endocytotic. However, binding of viral spikes to cell surface receptors not only initiates the viral adhesion and the wrapping process necessary for internalization, but can simultaneously initiate direct fusion with the cell membrane. Both fusion and internalization have been observed to be viable pathways for many viruses. We develop a stochastic model for viral entry that incorporates a competition between receptor-mediated fusion and endocytosis. The relative probabilities of fusion and endocytosis of a virus particle initially nonspecifically adsorbed on the host cell membrane are computed as functions of receptor concentration, binding strength, and number of spikes. We find different parameter regimes where the entry pathway probabilities can be analytically expressed. Experimental tests of our mechanistic hypotheses are proposed and discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008561 Membrane Fusion The adherence and merging of cell membranes, intracellular membranes, or artificial membranes to each other or to viruses, parasites, or interstitial particles through a variety of chemical and physical processes. Fusion, Membrane,Fusions, Membrane,Membrane Fusions
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D011336 Probability The study of chance processes or the relative frequency characterizing a chance process. Probabilities
D011991 Receptors, Virus Specific molecular components of the cell capable of recognizing and interacting with a virus, and which, after binding it, are capable of generating some signal that initiates the chain of events leading to the biological response. Viral Entry Receptor,Viral Entry Receptors,Virus Attachment Factor,Virus Attachment Factors,Virus Attachment Receptor,Virus Attachment Receptors,Virus Entry Receptor,Virus Entry Receptors,Virus Receptor,Virus Receptors,Attachment Factor, Virus,Attachment Factors, Virus,Attachment Receptor, Virus,Attachment Receptors, Virus,Entry Receptor, Viral,Entry Receptor, Virus,Entry Receptors, Viral,Entry Receptors, Virus,Receptor, Viral Entry,Receptor, Virus,Receptor, Virus Attachment,Receptor, Virus Entry,Receptors, Viral Entry,Receptors, Virus Attachment,Receptors, Virus Entry
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004705 Endocytosis Cellular uptake of extracellular materials within membrane-limited vacuoles or microvesicles. ENDOSOMES play a central role in endocytosis. Endocytoses
D006023 Glycoproteins Conjugated protein-carbohydrate compounds including MUCINS; mucoid, and AMYLOID glycoproteins. C-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycosylated Protein,Glycosylated Proteins,N-Glycosylated Proteins,O-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycoprotein,Neoglycoproteins,Protein, Glycosylated,Proteins, C-Glycosylated,Proteins, Glycosylated,Proteins, N-Glycosylated,Proteins, O-Glycosylated
D013269 Stochastic Processes Processes that incorporate some element of randomness, used particularly to refer to a time series of random variables. Process, Stochastic,Stochastic Process,Processes, Stochastic
D053585 Virus Attachment The binding of VIRUS PARTICLES to VIRUS RECEPTORS on the host cell surface, facilitating VIRUS ENTRY into the cell. Viral Attachment,Viral Binding,Virus Binding,Attachment, Viral,Attachment, Virus,Binding, Viral,Binding, Virus
D018406 Virus Physiological Phenomena Biological properties, processes, and activities of VIRUSES, including the interactions with the cells they infect. Viral Physiological Processes,Viral Physiology,Virus Physiological Processes,Physiology, Viral,Viral Physiological Concepts,Viral Physiological Phenomena,Viral Physiological Process,Virus Physiological Concepts,Virus Physiological Phenomenon,Virus Physiological Process,Virus Physiology,Concept, Viral Physiological,Concept, Virus Physiological,Concepts, Viral Physiological,Concepts, Virus Physiological,Phenomena, Viral Physiological,Phenomena, Virus Physiological,Phenomenon, Virus Physiological,Phenomenons, Virus Physiological,Physiological Process, Viral,Physiological Process, Virus,Physiological Processes, Viral,Physiological Processes, Virus,Physiology, Virus,Process, Viral Physiological,Process, Virus Physiological,Processes, Viral Physiological,Processes, Virus Physiological,Viral Physiological Concept,Virus Physiological Concept

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