Work

Structural basis for membrane fusion by enveloped viruses

Year: 1999

Type: review

Abstract: Enveloped viruses such as HIV-1, influenza virus, and Ebola virus express a surface glycoprotein that mediates both cell attachment and fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The membrane fusion process leads to the release of viral proteins and the RNA genome into the host cell, initiating an infectious cycle. This review focuses on the HIV-1 gp41 membrane fusion protein and discusses the structural similarities of viral membrane fusion proteins from diverse families such as Retroviridae (HIV-1), Orthomyxoviridae (influenza virus), and Filoviridae (Ebola virus). Their structural organization suggests that they have all evolved to use a similar strategy to promote fusion of viral and cellular membranes. This observation led to the proposal of a general model for viral membrane fusion, which will be discussed in detail.

Source: Molecular Membrane Biology

DOI: 10.1080/096876899294706

Authors: W. Weissenhorn,, A. Dessen,, L. J. Calder,, S. C. Harrison,, J. J. Skehel,, D. C. Wiley

Institutions: Boston Children's Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, National Institute for Medical Research

Language: English

Topic: HIV Research and Treatment

Subfield: Virology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2107427530

FWCI: 3.036

Cites: 77

Cited by: 377

Related to: 9