Organizing the interface-Plasma membrane architecture and receptor dynamics in virus-cell interactions

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Virology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Plasma membranes feature dynamic nanoscale domains influencing molecular distribution and availability.
• Viruses operate at similar scales, making membrane organization critical for early infection stages.
• Understanding these interactions is key to developing antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how viruses exploit and remodel plasma membrane nanoarchitecture during infection.
• To examine the role of receptor nanoplatforms in viral capture and entry.
• To discuss the exploitation of lipid asymmetry by enveloped viruses.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on viral-host interactions at the nanoscale.
• Analysis of examples including influenza A virus and human immunodeficiency virus 1.
• Discussion of molecular interactions, receptor dynamics, and lipid asymmetry.

Main Results:

• Pre-existing receptor nanoplatforms facilitate viral capture through enhanced avidity.
• Virus binding can actively remodel plasma membrane nanoarchitecture.
• Enveloped viruses exploit transbilayer lipid asymmetry, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, for entry.

Conclusions:

• Viral infection is intricately linked to the nanoscale organization of the plasma membrane.
• Multivalent interactions and membrane remodeling are key viral strategies.
• Targeting these nanoscale processes offers potential for novel antiviral therapies.