The fusion protein of peste des petits ruminants virus is a hemolysin

The fusion glycoprotein (F protein) of paramyxoviruses plays a vital role in virus-induced cytopathology. To explore the role of the F protein in peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV)-induced cytopathology, the F protein of PPRV was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. The purified F protein, when incubated with chicken erythrocytes, caused lysis suggesting that PPRV F protein is a hemolysin. Furthermore, the hemolysis can be inhibited by hyperimmune serum against F protein. The virus-induced cell fusion (syncytia) was also inhibited by the hyperimmune serum against the F protein. In summary, these results indicate that the purified PPRV F protein is biologically active and is involved in virus-induced hemolysis, cell-fusion and the initiation of infection.