Preliminary biochemical characterization of the factors(s) responsible for herpesvirus-induced exogenous fusion.

Cell-free extracts prepared from herpes simplex virus-infected BHK-21 cells rapidly induced exogenous fusion when incubated with indicator monolayers of uninfected BHK-21 cells. Fusion was first observed at 1 h, and peak activity was reached by 4 h. Divalent cations were required for activity. Inhibition of indicator cell macromolecular synthesis, with metabolic inhibitors, failed to prevent formation of cell-free extract-induced polykaryocytes. Removal of virus particles from the cell-free extract by velocity sedimentation centrifugation did not affect cell-free extract exogenous fusion activity. Studies using molecular probes, namely, glycosidases, lectins, and antiserum (directed against either HSV envelope or capsid proteins), suggest that the factor(s) responsible for herpesvirus fusion is a fucosylated glycoprotein that is not a structural component of the virion.