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Viral membrane fusion.

Stephen C Harrison1

  • 1Jack and Eileen Connors Structural Biology Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 250 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. harrison@crystal.harvard.edu

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|July 4, 2008
PubMed
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Viral fusion proteins mediate infection by merging viral and cell membranes. Despite structural diversity, these proteins share a common mechanism triggered by ligands, leading to membrane fusion. Fusion inhibitors show antiviral potential.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Viral infection relies on the fusion of viral and host cell membranes.
  • Viral fusion proteins are essential mediators of this membrane fusion process.
  • These proteins undergo significant structural changes to facilitate bilayer merging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the common mechanism of viral membrane fusion mediated by viral fusion proteins.
  • To illustrate how diverse viral fusion protein structures implement a conserved fusion mechanism.
  • To highlight the potential of fusion inhibitors as antiviral agents.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of viral fusion protein structures and mechanisms.
  • Detailed examination of influenza virus hemagglutinin.

Related Experiment Videos

  • In-depth review of flavivirus E protein and vesicular stomatitis virus G protein functions.

    • Main Results:

    • Viral fusion proteins, despite structural variations, share a common ligand-triggered conformational change mechanism.
    • This conformational change drives the apposition and merger of viral and cellular membranes.
    • Examples like influenza HA, flavivirus E, and VSV G proteins exemplify diverse structural solutions to achieve fusion.

    Conclusions:

    • Viral fusion proteins utilize a conserved mechanism involving conformational changes to achieve membrane fusion.
    • Structural diversity in viral fusion proteins reflects convergent evolution towards a common functional goal.
    • Targeting viral fusion proteins with inhibitors presents a viable strategy for antiviral therapy.