Pseudotyped REV/SRV Retroviruses Reveal Restrictions to Infection and Host Range within Members of the Same Receptor Interference Group

The reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) group of retroviruses and type D simian retroviruses (SRV) belong to the same receptor interference group. The cellular receptor for these viruses has not yet been identified. In order to study the distribution of the receptor and to identify a receptor negative cell line, vector viral pseudotypes between REV and SRV were made. Using these viral pseudotypes, susceptibility to infection was examined in some rodent and marsupial cell lines. Infectivity assays with these envelope pseudotypes demonstrated that all cell types tested were resistant to infection. However, treatment of the rodent cells with the N-linked glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin rendered most of the cells susceptible to infection. These results indicate that all the rodent cells tested express a nonfunctional receptor for viruses of the REV and SRV groups, which can be made functional by tunicamycin treatment. A difference in receptor host range among members of the same receptor interference group was observed which suggests that the REV/SRV receptor for this interference group might be differentially modified in different cell types. The studies also identified at least one cell line not expressing the REV/SRV receptor which should be useful for isolating the gene encoding the receptor.