Dengue virus serotype 3 envelope protein domain III (DENV3 EDIII) (DENV3 EDIII)

The Dengue virus serotype 3 envelope protein domain III (DENV3 EDIII) is a distinct structural region of the major surface protein of the Dengue virus serotype 3. It adopts an immunoglobulin-like fold and is widely recognized as the primary domain responsible for binding to host cell receptors, thereby facilitating viral attachment and subsequent entry (UniProt P27915; PMID: 22434814). Due to its exposure on the virion surface and the presence of multiple serotype-specific neutralizing epitopes, DENV3 EDIII is a focal point for vaccine design and the development of therapeutic antibodies (PMID: 25855244). In clinical manifestations, DENV3 is one of the four serotypes responsible for dengue fever, which can progress to life-threatening conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever (CDC, 2023). Drugs and vaccines targeting this domain work by either directly blocking the interaction between the virus and the host cell or by stimulating the production of neutralizing antibodies that provide long-term immunity (WHO, 2023). A major therapeutic challenge associated with this target is antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), a phenomenon where sub-neutralizing antibodies from a previous infection or vaccination can enhance viral replication during a secondary infection with a different serotype (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2020).

Other names

DENV-3 E domain IIIDENV3 ED3Envelope protein domain III of Dengue virus type 3Dengue virus type 3 E protein domain III

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking receptor binding and induction of protective humoral immunity.