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Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
Complement System01:27

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR01:23

The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR

CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is a adaptive immune system found in bacteria and archaea that protects against viral infections. This system enables prokaryotic cells to identify, remember, and neutralize foreign genetic elements, primarily bacteriophages, by storing fragments of the invader’s DNA as a genetic memory.The CRISPR immune response begins during an initial infection. Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins play a central role in this defense.
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo
08:29

Averaging of Viral Envelope Glycoprotein Spikes from Electron Cryotomography Reconstructions using Jsubtomo

Published on: October 21, 2014

Architecture and evolution of viral complement evasion.

Hera Fatima1, Abel Viejo-Borbolla2, Thomas Krey3

  • 1Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

Current Opinion in Virology
|June 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Viruses combat the complement system

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • The complement system is a key antiviral defense mechanism involving C3b amplification.
  • Viruses must overcome complement activation to survive in hosts.
  • Regulators of complement activation (RCAs) control C3b activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare host and viral strategies for controlling complement activation.
  • To elucidate the structural and mechanistic principles of C3b inhibition.
  • To understand the evolutionary convergence of viral complement evasion.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of host and viral complement regulators.
  • Review of structural and mechanistic studies on RCAs and viral inhibitors.
  • Examination of evolutionary pathways for complement evasion.

Main Results:

  • Host RCAs use modular domains for efficient complement regulation.
  • Viruses independently evolved diverse strategies to inhibit C3b amplification.
  • Poxviruses and gammaherpesviruses acquired host RCA genes; alphaherpesviruses evolved distinct inhibitors like glycoprotein C.
  • Despite structural differences, viral strategies converge on inhibiting the C3b amplification loop.

Conclusions:

  • Viral strategies for inhibiting C3b highlight complement regulation as an evolutionary bottleneck.
  • Complement evasion represents a durable vulnerability exploitable by viruses.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can inform the development of broadly effective antiviral therapies.