Virus and Host Mechanics Support Membrane Penetration and Cell Entry
- B. Tsai, Editor
ABSTRACT
Viruses are quasi-inert macromolecular assemblies. Their metastable conformation changes during entry into cells, when chemical and mechanical host cues expose viral membrane-interacting proteins. This leads to membrane rupture or fusion and genome uncoating. Importantly, virions tune their physical properties and enhance penetration and uncoating. For example, influenza virus softens at low pH to uncoat. The stiffness and pressure of adenovirus control uncoating and membrane penetration. Virus and host mechanics thus present new opportunities for antiviral therapy.
FOOTNOTES
- Accepted manuscript posted online 3 February 2016.
- Address correspondence to Urs F. Greber, urs.greber{at}imls.uzh.ch.
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Citation Greber UF. 2016. Virus and host mechanics support membrane penetration and cell entry. J Virol 90:3802–3805. doi:10.1128/JVI.02568-15.
- Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
