Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 195: Structural Studies of Henipavirus Glycoproteins

Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 195: Structural Studies of Henipavirus Glycoproteins Viruses doi: 10.3390/v16020195 Authors: Aaron J. May Priyamvada Acharya Henipaviruses are a genus of emerging pathogens that includes the highly virulent Nipah and Hendra viruses that cause reoccurring outbreaks of disease. Henipaviruses rely on two surface glycoproteins, known as the attachment and fusion proteins, to facilitate entry into host cells. As new and divergent members of the genus have been discovered and structurally characterized, key differences and similarities have been noted. This review surveys the available structural information on Henipavirus glycoproteins, complementing this with information from related biophysical and structural studies of the broader Paramyxoviridae family of which Henipaviruses are members. The process of viral entry is a primary focus for vaccine and drug development, and this review aims to identify critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms that drive Henipavirus fusion.
Source: Viruses - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research