title: Mechanisms of viral membrane fusion and its inhibition.
abstract: Viral envelope glycoproteins promote viral infection by mediating the fusion of the viral membrane with the host-cell membrane. Structural and biochemical studies of two viral glycoproteins, influenza hemagglutinin and HIV-1 envelope protein, have led to a common model for viral entry. The fusion mechanism involves a transient conformational species that can be targeted by therapeutic strategies. This mechanism of infectivity is likely utilized by a wide variety of enveloped viruses for which similar therapeutic interventions should be possible.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Department of Biology, M.I.T., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA. Eckert@wi.mit.edu
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000378:metabolism; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors; D014764:Viral Proteins