Viral membrane

Host cell infection process

The membrane fusion event that triggers viral entrance is caused by the viral membrane fusion protein. Many enveloped viruses only have one protein visible on the surface of the particle, which is required for both mediating adhesion to the cell surface and for the subsequent membrane fusion process. To create potential drugs and protective vaccines for human pathogenic enveloped viruses for which there is currently no vaccine, it is essential to comprehend how the fusion step works and how antibodies interact with viral envelope proteins, particularly with the fusion protein, and how antibodies neutralize viruses.