alpha V beta 5 integrin was recently proposed as a coreceptor for adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) infection (Summerford et al., 1999, Nat Med. 5, 78-82), based mainly on the direct binding of AAV2 to denatured beta 5 by virus overlay assay. In studies using purified natural or recombinant human integrin alpha V beta 5 we were unable to demonstrate AAV2 binding, either by virus overlay or by liquid binding assay. Furthermore, neither purified integrin alpha V beta 5, nor RGD peptides, nor functional blocking monoclonal antibody blocked rAAV2 transduction. These data strongly suggest that integrin alpha V beta 5 is not involved in AAV2 infection.