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Published on: September 27, 2014
A structural perspective of the flavivirus life cycle
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay1, Richard J Kuhn, Michael G Rossmann
1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2054, USA.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|December 21, 2004
Summary
Flaviviruses like dengue cause deadly epidemics. Understanding their structure, particularly dengue virus, reveals key steps in their life cycle, aiding in disease control efforts.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and yellow fever viruses are significant human pathogens belonging to the Flavivirus genus.
- These viruses cause widespread epidemics and substantial mortality globally.
- The Flaviviridae family includes these medically important viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural studies of dengue virus.
- To elucidate the molecular transitions during the viral life cycle.
- To understand the role of structural proteins in viral processes.
Main Methods:
- Focus on structural studies, including cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography.
- Analysis of viral structural organization and protein interactions.
- Review of existing literature on flavivirus structural biology.
Main Results:
- Structural insights into flavivirus assembly, budding, maturation, and fusion.
- Detailed understanding of dengue virus structural proteins and their functions.
- Correlation between viral structure and life cycle events.
Conclusions:
- Structural studies are crucial for understanding flavivirus pathogenesis.
- Knowledge of dengue virus structure informs strategies against flaviviral diseases.
- Further structural research can lead to novel therapeutic interventions.
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