Envelope protein of tick-borne encephalitis virus (E protein (TBEV))

The envelope protein of tick-borne encephalitis virus (E protein, TBEV) is a structural glycoprotein and the principal surface component of the mature virion[1][4]. It forms antiparallel dimers that lie horizontally in the viral membrane, comprising four domains: the central β-barrel domain I, an elongated domain II containing the fusion loop required for membrane fusion, an immunoglobulin-like domain III thought to participate in host receptor binding, and a membrane-proximal stem-anchor region (domain IV)[1][2][3]. The E protein mediates multiple essential steps in the viral life cycle: attachment to host cells, receptor binding, pH-dependent membrane fusion during cell entry, and induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies[4]. It is also a major target for both vaccine and therapeutic antibody development, and a critical determinant of viral infectivity, host range, and neurovirulence[1][3][4].

Other names

E glycoprotein (TBEV)Tick-borne encephalitis virus envelope glycoprotein ETBEV E protein

Neutralizing antibodies block viral binding or prevent conformational changes required for membrane fusion; Inhibition of envelope protein function prevents viral entry into host cells