[Rabies virus glycoprotein: structure, immunogenicity and pathogenic role]

Rabies glycoprotein is the only exposed protein which is inserted in the viral lipidie envelope. This 65-67 kda protein is a N-glycosilated transmembrane protein forming trimers on the viral surface. It has been identified as the major pathogenicity determinant, playing a role in the budding, viral axonal transport during infection, apoptosis and immune evasion. It is also the major antigen responsible for the protective immune response and it is been used in commercial recombinant vaccines. Its structure, antigenicity and pathogenic role have been well studied, identifying main antigenic sites that have the responsibility for virulence, cellular receptors attachment and epitope acquisition.