Capturing Spontaneous Membrane Insertion of the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Fusion Peptide.

ABSTRACT: Hemagglutinin (HA) is a protein located on the surface of the influenza virus that mediates viral fusion to the host cellular membrane. During the fusion process the HA fusion peptide (HAfp), formed by the first 23 N-terminal residues of HA and structurally characterized by two alpha helices (Helix A and Helix B) tightly packed in a hairpin-like arrangement, is the only part of the virus in direct contact with the host membrane. After encountering the host cell, HAfp is believed to insert into the membrane, thereby initiating the fusion of the viral and host membranes. Detailed characterization of the interactions between the HAfp and cellular membrane is therefore of high relevance to the mechanism of viral entry into the host cell. Employing HMMM membrane representation with enhanced lip

SUBMITTER: Baylon JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5040216 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature