Cytomegalovirus envelope glycoprotein H (gH) (gH)

Cytomegalovirus envelope glycoprotein H (gH), encoded by the UL75 gene, is a critical component of the Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) entry machinery [1]. It forms a constitutive heterodimer with glycoprotein L (gL), which serves as a scaffold for the assembly of larger complexes: the gH/gL/gO trimer and the gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A pentamer [2]. These complexes are essential for HCMV to infect a broad range of host cells, including fibroblasts, epithelial, and endothelial cells, by mediating the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane [1, 2]. Because gH is indispensable for viral replication and spread, it is a primary target for the development of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and subunit vaccines [3]. Therapeutic strategies focusing on gH aim to prevent primary infection or reduce viral dissemination in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women to prevent congenital CMV [4]. Neutralizing antibodies against gH work by blocking the conformational changes required for membrane fusion, thereby preventing the viral genome from entering the host cell [2, 4].

Other names

UL75Envelope glycoprotein HHHV-5 gHGlycoprotein H

Neutralization of viral entry, inhibition of membrane fusion, and prevention of cell-to-cell spread.