Relevance of membrane sialoglycoconjugates as receptors for infection by the porcine rubulavirus has been determined in vitro by sugar and lectin competition assays and by inhibition of glycosylation. Our results show that NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal but not NeuAc alpha 2,6Gal inhibits the virus infectivity of Vero cells, and the virus was effectively blocked with the lectin Maackia amurensis, specific for NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal. Inhibition of the cellular glycosylation with tunicamycin, deoxinojirimycin as well as neuraminidase treatment diminishes the viral capacity to bind and infect this cell line. Dexamethasone, which promotes the activity of sialyl alpha 2,6 glycosyltransferase, also diminishes the cell susceptibility for infection. This is the first report confirming that NeuAc alpha-2,3Gal recognition is determinant in the pathogenesis of the porcine rubulavirus.