Structural highlights
Function
[K9US75_EBVG] The heterodimer glycoprotein H-glycoprotein L is required for the fusion of viral and plasma membranes leading to virus entry into the host cell. Following initial binding to host receptor, membrane fusion is mediated by the fusion machinery composed of gB and the heterodimer gH/gL. May also be involved in the fusion between the virion envelope and the outer nuclear membrane during virion morphogenesis.[HAMAP-Rule:MF_04033] [GP42_EBVG] Plays a role in virion attachment to host B-lymphocytes, through binding to leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II and subsequently participates in fusion of the virion with host membranes. May act as a tropism switch that directs fusion with B-lymphocytes and inhibits fusion with epithelial cells (By similarity). [GL_EBVA8] The heterodimer glycoprotein H-glycoprotein L is required for the fusion of viral and plasma membranes leading to virus entry into the host cell. Acts as a functional inhibitor of gH and maintains gH in an inhibited form. Upon binding to host integrins, gL dissociates from gH leading to activation of the viral fusion glycoproteins gB and gH.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with 200,000 new cases of cancer and 140,000 deaths annually. Subunit vaccines against this pathogen have focused on the gp350 glycoprotein and remain unsuccessful. We isolated human antibodies recognizing the EBV fusion machinery (gH/gL and gB) from rare memory B cells. One anti-gH/gL antibody, AMMO1, potently neutralized infection of B cells and epithelial cells, the two major cell types targeted by EBV. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of the gH/gL-gp42-AMMO1 complex and demonstrated that AMMO1 bound to a discontinuous epitope formed by both gH and gL at the Domain-I/Domain-II interface. Integrating structural, biochemical, and infectivity data, we propose that AMMO1 inhibits fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. This work identifies a crucial epitope that may aid in the design of next-generation subunit vaccines against this major public health burden.
An Antibody Targeting the Fusion Machinery Neutralizes Dual-Tropic Infection and Defines a Site of Vulnerability on Epstein-Barr Virus.,Snijder J, Ortego MS, Weidle C, Stuart AB, Gray MD, McElrath MJ, Pancera M, Veesler D, McGuire AT Immunity. 2018 Apr 17;48(4):799-811.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.03.026. PMID:29669253[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Snijder J, Ortego MS, Weidle C, Stuart AB, Gray MD, McElrath MJ, Pancera M, Veesler D, McGuire AT. An Antibody Targeting the Fusion Machinery Neutralizes Dual-Tropic Infection and Defines a Site of Vulnerability on Epstein-Barr Virus. Immunity. 2018 Apr 17;48(4):799-811.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.03.026. PMID:29669253 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2018.03.026
