Work

Two Conserved Phenylalanine Residues in the E1 Fusion Loop of Alphaviruses Are Essential for Viral Infectivity

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Alphaviruses are human pathogens that cause both debilitating acute and chronic musculoskeletal disease and potentially fatal encephalitis. In this study, we determined that two highly conserved phenylalanine residues in the alphavirus E1 glycoprotein are required for fusion of viral and host cell membranes and viral entry into target cells. We further demonstrated that mutation of these phenylalanines results in a substantial loss of viral virulence but not immunogenicity. These data enhance an understanding of the viral determinants of alphavirus entry into host cells and could contribute to the development of new antivirals targeting these conserved phenylalanines or new live-attenuated alphavirus vaccines.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00064-22

Authors: Cormac J. Lucas, Bennett J. Davenport, Kathryn S. Carpentier, Alex N. Tinega, Thomas E. Morrison

Institution: University of Colorado Anschutz

Language: English

Topic: Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases