How do viruses invade host cells? This review explores the intricate mechanisms of viral membrane fusion, a crucial step in viral infection. Viral envelope glycoproteins, such as influenza hemagglutinin and HIV-1 envelope protein, mediate the fusion of the viral membrane with the host-cell membrane. The review presents a common model for viral entry based on structural and biochemical studies of these glycoproteins. The fusion mechanism involves a transient conformational species that can be targeted by therapeutic strategies. Understanding this mechanism offers opportunities for developing interventions that can prevent viral entry. Given the widespread nature of enveloped viruses, this mechanism of infectivity is likely utilized by a wide variety of viruses, suggesting the potential for similar therapeutic interventions to combat a broad range of viral infections. The review highlights the importance of targeting viral membrane fusion as a strategy for developing effective antiviral therapies.
Published in the Annual Review of Biochemistry, this paper on viral membrane fusion mechanisms aligns with the journal's focus on biochemical processes. By summarizing structural and biochemical studies and offering a common model for viral entry, the review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of viral infection. Its implications for therapeutic strategies make it relevant to the journal's biochemical audience.
| Category | Category Repetition |
|---|---|
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| Science: Biology (General) | 301 |
| Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry: Biochemistry | 285 |
| Science: Physics | 116 |
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