Posttranslational Modification of -Dystroglycan, the Cellular Receptor for Arenaviruses, by the Glycosyltransferase LARGE Is Critical for Virus Binding

The receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), the human pathogenic Lassa fever virus (LFV), and clade C New World arenaviruses is -dystroglycan (-DG), a cell surface receptor for proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Specific posttranslational modification of -DG by the glycosyltransferase LARGE is critical for its function as an ECM receptor. In the present study, we show that LARGE-dependent modification is also crucial for -DG’s function as a cellular receptor for arenaviruses. Virus binding involves the mucin-type domain of -DG and depends on modification by LARGE. A crucial role of the LARGE-dependent glycosylation of -DG for virus binding is found for several isolates of LCMV, LFV, and the arenaviruses Mobala and Oliveros. Since the posttranslational modification by LARGE is crucial for -DG recognition by both arenaviruses and the host-derived ligand laminin, it also influences competition between virus and laminin for -DG. Hence, LARGE-dependent glycosylation of -DG has important implications for the virus-host cell interaction and the pathogenesis of LFV in humans. Arenaviruses merit significant attention both as powerful models to study viral pathogenesis and as important human pathogens (8, 41). Two groups of arenaviruses are presently recognized, the Old World arenaviruses, with lymphocytic cho