Identification of the Cell-Surface Protease ADAM9 as an Entry Factor for Encephalomyocarditis Virus

Abstract

EMCV is an animal pathogen that causes acute viral infections, usually myocarditis or encephalitis. It is thought to circulate mainly among rodents, from which it is occasionally transmitted to other animal species, including humans. EMCV causes fatal outbreaks of myocarditis and encephalitis in pig farms and zoos, making it an important veterinary pathogen. Although EMCV has been widely used as a model to study mechanisms of viral disease in mice, little is known about its entry mechanism. Here, we employ a haploid genetic screen for EMCV host factors and identify an essential role for ADAM9 in EMCV entry.