Hemagglutinin structure and activities
Authors list
Steve Gamblin Sébastien G Vachieri Xiaoli Xiong Jie Zhang Stephen R Martin John J SkehelAbstract
Hemagglutinins (HAs) are the receptor-binding and membrane fusion glycoproteins of influenza viruses. They recognize sialic acid-containing, cell-surface glycoconjugates as receptors but have limited affinity for them, and, as a consequence, virus attachment to cells requires their interaction with several virus HAs. Receptor-bound virus is transferred into endosomes where membrane fusion by HAs is activated at pH between 5 and 6.5, depending on the strain of virus. Fusion activity requires extensive rearrangements in HA conformation that include extrusion of a buried "fusion peptide" to connect with the endosomal membrane, form a bridge to the virus membrane, and eventually bring both membranes close together. In this review, we give an overview of the structures of the 16 genetically and antigenically distinct subtypes of influenza A HA in relation to these two functions in virus replication and in relation to recognition of HA by antibodies that neutralize infection.
Journal details
Volume 11
Issue number 10
Pages a038638
Available online
Publication date
Full text links
Publisher website (DOI) 10.1101/cshperspect.a038638
Europe PubMed Central 32513673
Pubmed 32513673
Keywords
Related topics
Type of publication