Membrane Carbohydrate Requirement for Rabies Virus Binding to Chicken Embryo Related Cells

The involvement of cellular carbohydrates in the interaction of rabies virus with chicken embryo related cell receptors was investigated. Two different methodological approaches were employed: (1) specific glycosidases were used to treat the cells before infection, and (2) specific lectins were used to compete with the viral binding. The results indicate the participation of sialic acid, galactose, mannose, and N-acetyl-glucosamine but not fucose in the cellular requirements for rabies virus infection.