FLUORESCENCE ASSAYS TO MONITOR FUSION OF ENVELOPED VIRUSES

This chapter explains fluorescence assays to monitor fusion of enveloped viruses. Viral nucleocapsids contain all the necessary genetic information for replication. However, viruses lack the synthesizing machinery to do so, which is why these particles exploit host cells for this purpose. The introduction of the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm of a host cell is, therefore, a prerequisite for viral replication. Many enveloped viruses have a relatively simple membrane composition, consisting of lipids derived from the host cell and some (which can be as few as one) virus-specific membrane glycoproteins. The ability of a virus to fuse is contained in these glycoproteins. The intracellular membrane fusion events, which are crucial for the biological life of a cell, are also mediated by proteins makes viral systems particularly attractive as a model for protein-induced fusion of biological membranes. The chapter explains the detection of virus fusion activity. © 1993, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.