Chikungunya virus envelope glycoproteins (CHIKV E1/E2)

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, are the primary structural proteins on the surface of the virus particle, organized as heterodimers that form icosahedral spikes (UniProt: P08410). The E2 glycoprotein is responsible for binding to host cell receptors, such as Mxra8, while the E1 glycoprotein is a class II fusion protein that mediates the merger of the viral and endosomal membranes under acidic conditions (PubMed: 29769725). These proteins are the principal targets for neutralizing antibodies and are central to the development of vaccines and therapeutic interventions (FDA: Ixchiq). Drugs and vaccines targeting these glycoproteins aim to prevent viral attachment or inhibit the conformational changes required for membrane fusion, thereby blocking infection (PubMed: 31213562). Understanding the structural dynamics of the E1/E2 complex is vital for designing broad-spectrum therapies against CHIKV and related alphaviruses. The recent approval of the first CHIKV vaccine highlights the clinical importance of these glycoproteins as therapeutic targets (NIH: Ixchiq).

Other names

CHIKV E1/E2 complexCHIKV spike proteinsCHIKV structural polyproteinE1 glycoproteinE2 glycoproteinCHIKV E3 protein

Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies target the E1 and E2 glycoproteins to neutralize the virus by blocking receptor binding or preventing the pH-dependent conformational changes required for membrane fusion (PubMed: 31213562).