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The sweet spot: defining virus-sialic acid interactions.
Jennifer E Stencel-Baerenwald1, Kerstin Reiss2, Dirk M Reiter3
11] Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. [2] Elizabeth B. Lamb Center for Pediatric Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. [3].
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|September 30, 2014
Summary
Viruses attach to host cells via sialic acid glycans. Understanding these interactions is key to fighting viral infections and developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Glycobiology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Viral infections begin when viruses attach to host cell receptors, often sialic acid-containing glycans.
- Glycan array screening, structural biology, and genetic alteration methods now allow detailed study of these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review general principles of virus-glycan interactions.
- To provide examples of sialic acid binding by specific viruses.
- To highlight the importance of understanding these interactions for disease control and therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Glycan array screening to identify specific glycan receptors.
- Atomic-level structural determination of virus-glycan complexes.
- Alteration of viral glycan-binding sites to assess functional roles.
Main Results:
- This review highlights key principles governing virus-glycan binding.
- Specific examples of sialic acid binding by influenza virus, reovirus, adenovirus, and rotavirus are discussed.
- The functional significance of glycan engagement in viral pathogenesis is explored.
Conclusions:
- Understanding virus-glycan interactions is crucial for developing strategies against viral infections.
- Knowledge of these interactions aids in designing improved viral vectors for therapeutic applications.
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