Class II virus membrane fusion proteins

Journal Article · Thu Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2006 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.VIROL.2005.0· OSTI ID:20779448

Kielian, Margaret ^[1]

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1. Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461 (United States)

Enveloped animal viruses fuse their membrane with a host cell membrane, thus delivering the virus genetic material into the cytoplasm and initiating infection. This critical membrane fusion reaction is mediated by a virus transmembrane protein known as the fusion protein, which inserts its hydrophobic fusion peptide into the cell membrane and refolds to drive the fusion reaction. This review describes recent advances in our understanding of the structure and function of the class II fusion proteins of the alphaviruses and flaviviruses. Inhibition of the fusion protein refolding reaction confirms its importance in fusion and suggests new antiviral strategies for these medically important viruses.

• OSTI ID: 20779448
• Journal Information: Virology, Vol. 344, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.09.036; PII: S0042-6822(05)00600-8; Copyright (c) 2005 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANIMALS
CELL MEMBRANES
CYTOPLASM
INHIBITION
PEPTIDES
REVIEWS
VIRUSES