cDNA cloning reveals that the major group rhinovirus receptor on HeLa cells is intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

A 90-kDa surface glycoprotein was previously isolated and shown to be required for infection by the "major" group of human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes. In the present work, the amino acid sequence of the receptor protein was obtained from CNBr and tryptic peptides. Using degenerate oligonucleotides predicted from the peptide sequences, we identified four cDNA clones that encode a 3-kilobase mRNA. The clones were ligated, subcloned in a simian virus 40 expression vector, and used to transfect receptor-negative Vero (monkey) cells. Results showed that transfected cells expressed receptor molecules capable of binding HRV and a monoclonal antibody which recognizes the major group HRV receptor. The cloned receptor cDNA encoded a protein with a sequence nearly identical to that of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), indicating that the two surface proteins are one and the same. Both proteins have identical mass, carbohydrate composition, and tissue distribution. In addition, major group receptors on HeLa cells could be induced with various cytokines in a manner similar to the ICAM-1 ligand. A similar induction of the HRV "minor" group receptor was not observed.