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The concerted action of four viral glycoproteins and at least one cellular receptor is required to catalyze herpes simplex virus 1 entry into host cells either by fusion at the plasma membrane or intracellularly after internalization by endocytosis. Here, we applied cryo electron tomography to capture 3D intermediates from Herpes simplex virus 1 fusion at the plasma membrane in their native environment by using two model systems: adherent cells and synaptosomes. The fusion process was delineated as a series of structurally different steps. The incoming capsid separated from the tegument and was closely surrounded by the cortical cytoskeleton. After entry, the viral membrane curvature changed concomitantly with a reorganization of the envelope glycoprotein spikes. Individual glycoprotein complexes in transitional conformations during pore formation and dilation revealed the complex viral fusion mechanism in action. Snapshots of the fusion intermediates provide unprecedented details concerning the overall structural changes occurring during herpesvirus entry. Moreover, our data suggest that there are two functional "poles" of the asymmetric herpesvirion: one related to cell entry, and the other formed during virus assembly.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.0801674105

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

29/07/2008

Volume

105

Pages

10559 - 10564

Keywords

Animals, Capsid, Cell Membrane, Cercopithecus aethiops, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Glycoproteins, Herpesviridae, Herpesvirus 1, Human, Male, Membrane Fusion, Molecular Conformation, Potoroidae, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Synaptosomes, Vero Cells