Dengue virus type 2 envelope protein domain III (DENV2 EDIII) (DENV2 EDIII)

The Dengue virus type 2 envelope protein domain III (DENV2 EDIII) is a critical structural and functional component of the DENV2 virion, serving as the primary receptor-binding domain (UniProt P07564). It adopts an immunoglobulin-like fold and contains several potent neutralizing epitopes, most notably the lateral ridge and the A-strand. The K305 residue is a key amino acid within the A-strand epitope, acting as a vital contact point for serotype-specific neutralizing antibodies such as the monoclonal antibody 3H5 (PubMed 15141005). In the context of disease, DENV2 is a major cause of Dengue fever, which can progress to life-threatening conditions like Dengue hemorrhagic fever or Dengue shock syndrome (NIH). Therapeutic strategies targeting the DENV2 EDIII K305 epitope focus on the development of monoclonal antibodies and subunit vaccines designed to inhibit viral attachment and entry into host cells. However, a significant challenge in targeting this protein is the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), a phenomenon where non-neutralizing or sub-neutralizing antibodies facilitate viral uptake into Fc-receptor-bearing cells, thereby increasing viral load and disease severity (PubMed 21637753).

Other names

DENV2 E protein domain 3DENV2 ED3Dengue virus serotype 2 envelope protein domain IIIDENV-2 EDIIIK305 epitope of DENV2 E proteinA-strand epitope of DENV2 EDIII

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking the interaction between the viral envelope protein and host cell receptors.