Study of the chemical nature of Frp/3 cell recognition units for hepatitis A virus.

Research has been carried out in order to clarify the chemical nature of cell receptors interacting with a fast growing strain of hepatitis A virus (HAV) producing a cytopathic effect on Frp/3 cells. Cell surface susceptibility to HAV attachment has been studied after treatment with enzymes acting on different chemical groupings. Results obtained showed a lowering of cell susceptibility to HAV infection following the action of phospholipase A2, phospholipase C, trypsin and beta-galactosidase. These data suggested that phospholipids, proteins and galactose participate to the cellular receptorial area for HAV.