What is it about?

We show that the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G) blocks the antiviral host cell factor tetherin, at least upon directed expression. However, our study failed to provide evidence that VSV-G-mediated tetherin antagonism is operative in infected cells.

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Why is it important?

The findings show that tetherin antagonism in transfected cells may not translate in all cases to antagonism in infected cells. They also indicate that diverse viral glycoproteins (SIV and HIV-2 Env, EBOV-GP, VSV-G) can interfere with the antiviral activity of tetherin.

Perspectives

The report should spur research into the question whether tetherin antagonism by viral glycoproteins can be modulated by other virus-encoded proteins.

Professor Stefan Pöhlmann
German Primate Center

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This page is a summary of: The glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus promotes release of virus-like particles from tetherin-positive cells, PLoS ONE, December 2017, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189073.
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