6F9C

Model of the Rift Valley fever virus glycoprotein hexamer type 1

Summary for 6F9C

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb6f9c/pdb
• EMDB information: 4198
• Descriptor: Glycoprotein (2 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: enveloped virus, rvfv, glycoprotein, fusion protein, virus
• Biological source: Rift valley fever virus (RVFV); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 12
• Total formula weight: 490946.83

Authors

Halldorsson, S.,Bowden, T.A.,Huiskonen, J.T. (deposition date: 2017-12-14, release date: 2018-01-31, Last modification date: 2024-05-15)

Primary citation

Halldorsson, S.,Li, S.,Li, M.,Harlos, K.,Bowden, T.A.,Huiskonen, J.T.
Shielding and activation of a viral membrane fusion protein.
Nat Commun, 9:349-349, 2018

PubMed Abstract: Entry of enveloped viruses relies on insertion of hydrophobic residues of the viral fusion protein into the host cell membrane. However, the intermediate conformations during fusion remain unknown. Here, we address the fusion mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus. We determine the crystal structure of the Gn glycoprotein and fit it with the Gc fusion protein into cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of the virion. Our analysis reveals how the Gn shields the hydrophobic fusion loops of the Gc, preventing premature fusion. Electron cryotomography of virions interacting with membranes under acidic conditions reveals how the fusogenic Gc is activated upon removal of the Gn shield. Repositioning of the Gn allows extension of Gc and insertion of fusion loops in the outer leaflet of the target membrane. These data show early structural transitions that enveloped viruses undergo during host cell entry and indicate that analogous shielding mechanisms are utilized across diverse virus families.

PubMed: 29367607
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02789-2

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (8 Å)