Hantaan virus glycoprotein Gn (Gn)

The Hantaan virus glycoprotein Gn is an envelope glycoprotein encoded by the M segment of the viral genome as part of a precursor polyprotein (GPC) that is cleaved to yield mature Gn and Gc. Gn forms heterodimers with Gc, which assemble into tetrameric spikes on the viral surface, creating a characteristic square lattice essential for virion structure and host cell interaction. It mediates attachment to host cell receptors, such as integrins like ITGAV/ITGB3, facilitating receptor-mediated endocytosis during virus entry, while shielding the fusion loop on Gc until low pH triggers fusion in endosomes. Gn also plays critical roles in virus assembly and budding at the Golgi apparatus or plasma membrane, interacting via its cytoplasmic tail with viral nucleocapsids to link envelope and internal components, acting as a matrix surrogate. As a key component of pathogenic hantaviruses like Hantaan virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, Gn is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies, driving efforts in immunogen design, though no approved antiviral drugs target it directly.

Other names

G1envelope glycoprotein Gnglycoprotein N