title: Conformational modifications of gB from herpes simplex virus type 1 analyzed by synthetic peptides.
abstract: Entry of enveloped viruses requires fusion of viral and cellular membranes, driven by conformational changes of viral glycoproteins. The crystallized trimeric glycoprotein gB of herpes simplex virus has been described as a postfusion conformation, and several studies prove that like other class III fusion proteins, gB undergoes a pH-dependent switch between the pre- and postfusion conformations. Using several biophysical techniques, we show that peptides corresponding to the long helix of the gB postfusion structure interfere with the membrane fusion event, likely hampering the conformational rearrangements from the pre- to the postfusion structures. Those peptides represent good candidates for further design of peptidomimetic antagonists capable of blocking the fusion process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, ‡CIRPEB, and §DFM Scarl, University of Naples "Federico II" , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantisani
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falanga
authors.forename: Novella
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Incoronato
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berisio
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galdiero
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galdiero
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C040495:glycoprotein B, Simplexvirus