3j35

Publication Abstract from PubMed

We report on a conformational transition of dengue virus when changing the temperature from that present in its mosquito vectors to that of its human host. Using cryoelectron microscopy, we show that although the virus has a smooth surface, a diameter of approximately 500 A, and little exposed membrane at room temperature, the virions have a bumpy appearance with a diameter of approximately 550 A and some exposed membrane at 37 degrees C. The bumpy structure at 37 degrees C was found to be similar to the previously predicted structure of an intermediate between the smooth mature and fusogenic forms. As humans have a body temperature of 37 degrees C, the bumpy form of the virus would be the form present in humans. Thus, optimal dengue virus vaccines should induce antibodies that preferentially recognize epitopes exposed on the bumpy form of the virus.

Dengue structure differs at the temperatures of its human and mosquito hosts.,Zhang X, Sheng J, Plevka P, Kuhn RJ, Diamond MS, Rossmann MG Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Apr 8. PMID:23569243^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.