Alphavirus envelope glycoprotein (E1/E2)

The Alphavirus envelope glycoproteins, primarily E1 and E2, are structural proteins that form icosahedral spikes on the surface of the virion. E2 is a type I transmembrane protein responsible for receptor binding and attachment to the host cell surface, while E1 is a class II fusion protein that mediates the fusion of the viral envelope with the host endosomal membrane upon acidification. These proteins are synthesized as a polyprotein precursor (p62-6K-E1) that is proteolytically processed during transport to the cell surface. Because they are the most exposed components of the virus, they serve as the primary targets for the host immune response and are the focus of vaccine and monoclonal antibody development. Therapeutic strategies often aim to block the E2-mediated attachment or the E1-mediated conformational change required for membrane fusion, thereby preventing viral entry and subsequent replication.

Other names

Alphavirus spike proteinE1 glycoproteinE2 glycoproteinE3 glycoproteinAlphavirus structural protein

Neutralization of viral particles by blocking receptor attachment (E2) or inhibiting pH-dependent membrane fusion (E1) within the endosome.