Tweet
J Virol. 2013 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]
Structural analysis of evolutionary origins of influenza hemagglutinin and other viral lectins.
Chen L, Li F.
Source
Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract
Influenza and other viruses use host-cell-surface sugars as receptors. Here we show that the sugar-binding domains in influenza hemagglutinin and other viral lectins share the same structural fold as human galectins (host lectins). Unlike the easily accessible sugar-binding sites in human galectins, the sugar-binding sites in viral lectins are hidden in cavities. We propose that these viral lectins originated from host lectins but have evolved to use hidden sugar-binding sites to evade host immune attacks.
PMID:
23365425
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Structural analysis of evolutionary origins of influenza hemagglutinin and other viral lectins.
Chen L, Li F.
Source
Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract
Influenza and other viruses use host-cell-surface sugars as receptors. Here we show that the sugar-binding domains in influenza hemagglutinin and other viral lectins share the same structural fold as human galectins (host lectins). Unlike the easily accessible sugar-binding sites in human galectins, the sugar-binding sites in viral lectins are hidden in cavities. We propose that these viral lectins originated from host lectins but have evolved to use hidden sugar-binding sites to evade host immune attacks.
PMID:
23365425
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
