The authors also report that soluble alpha-dystroglycan blocked both lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Lassa fever virus infection of cultured mouse cells. The authors suggest their results indicate that alpha-dystroglycan is a cellular receptor for both lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Lassa fever virus. In general, this refers to all nerve fibers and neurons that lie outside the brain and spinal cord. Some of these viruses establish chronic infections in rodents, and humans are infected by contact with rodent excreta.
Common elements are high fever, organ bleeding, hypotension, shock, etc.
The protein, whose function is unclear, is apparently localized in the membranes of muscle cells. Glycoprotein is a type of carbohydrate- protein. The molecular constituents of the matrix are secreted by cells in the vicinity. The internal quasi-rigid matrix of a cell, determining cell shape and involved in cell replication.