The ubiquitous glucose transporter GLUT-1 is a receptor for HTLV

Cell. 2003 Nov 14;115(4):449-59. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00881-x.

Abstract

The human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) is associated with leukemia and neurological syndromes. The physiopathological effects of HTLV envelopes are unclear and the identity of the receptor, present on all vertebrate cell lines, has been elusive. We show that the receptor binding domains of both HTLV-1 and -2 envelope glycoproteins inhibit glucose transport by interacting with GLUT-1, the ubiquitous vertebrate glucose transporter. Receptor binding and HTLV envelope-driven infection are selectively inhibited when glucose transport or GLUT-1 expression are blocked by cytochalasin B or siRNAs, respectively. Furthermore, ectopic expression of GLUT-1, but not the related transporter GLUT-3, restores HTLV infection abrogated by either GLUT-1 siRNAs or interfering HTLV envelope glycoproteins. Therefore, GLUT-1 is a receptor for HTLV. Perturbations in glucose metabolism resulting from interactions of HTLV envelope glycoproteins with GLUT-1 are likely to contribute to HTLV-associated disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cytochalasin B / pharmacology
  • Deltaretrovirus Antigens / metabolism
  • Glucose / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • HeLa Cells
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / metabolism*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / physiology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / metabolism*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Deltaretrovirus Antigens
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Monosaccharide Transport Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Virus
  • SLC2A1 protein, human
  • Slc2a1 protein, mouse
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Lactic Acid
  • Cytochalasin B
  • Glucose