Chikungunya virus envelope glycoprotein E1 and E2 (CHIKV E1/E2)

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) E1 and E2 glycoproteins are the primary surface proteins of the virus, organized as heterodimers that form trimeric spikes on the viral envelope (Voss et al., 2010). The E2 glycoprotein is primarily responsible for receptor binding, facilitating attachment to host cells via receptors such as Mxra8, while the E1 glycoprotein is a class II fusion protein that mediates the fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes during entry (Zhang et al., 2018; UniProt Consortium, 2024). These proteins are the principal targets for the host's neutralizing antibody response and are the focus of vaccine and therapeutic development. The first FDA-approved vaccine, Ixchiq (VLA1553), utilizes a live-attenuated virus to elicit an immune response against these antigens (FDA, 2023). Additionally, several monoclonal antibodies targeting specific epitopes on the E2 protein are under investigation for their ability to neutralize the virus and prevent the debilitating joint pain and fever associated with Chikungunya infection (Fric et al., 2013).

Other names

CHIKV E1CHIKV E2Chikungunya virus spike proteinsCHIKV envelope glycoproteinsE1-E2 heterodimerChikungunya virus E1/E2 glycoprotein antigens

Vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies that target the E1/E2 glycoproteins to prevent viral attachment and fusion; monoclonal antibodies bind to specific epitopes on E2 or E1 to neutralize the virus and block host cell entry.