title: Structure and Function of the Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Glycoproteins E1 and E2: Antiviral and Vaccine Targets.
abstract: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are critical in viral attachment and cell fusion, and studies of these proteins may provide valuable insights into their potential uses in vaccines and antiviral strategies. Progress has included elucidating the crystal structures of portions of their ectodomains, as well as many other studies of hypervariable regions, stem regions, glycosylation sites, and the participation of E1/E2 in viral fusion with the endosomal membrane. The available structural data have shed light on the binding sites of cross-neutralizing antibodies. A large amount of information has been discovered concerning heterodimerization, including the roles of transmembrane domains, disulfide bonding, and heptad repeat regions. The possible organization of higher order oligomers within the HCV virion has also been evaluated on the basis of experimental data. In this review, E1/E2 structure and function is discussed, and some important issues requiring further study are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: John Lok Man
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houghton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D000072417:Protein Domains; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; C087035:E1 protein, Hepatitis C virus; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus
keywords: E1/E2 heterodimer; envelope glycoprotein; hepatitis C virus; hypervariable region; neutralizing antibody; viral fusion protein