Hantavirus envelope glycoprotein Gn (Gn)

The Hantavirus envelope glycoprotein Gn is a critical structural component of the hantavirus virion, forming heterodimeric spikes with the Gc glycoprotein on the viral surface (PMC4002110). Encoded by the M segment of the viral genome, Gn is primarily responsible for the initial attachment of the virus to host cell receptors, such as beta-3 integrins and decay-accelerating factor (DAF), thereby facilitating viral entry via endocytosis (PMC3103496). It also plays a vital role in viral assembly and budding by interacting with the viral nucleocapsid protein and directing the transport of the glycoprotein complex to the Golgi apparatus (PMC4002110). Because it is exposed on the virion surface, Gn is a major target for neutralizing antibodies and is the primary focus of vaccine development efforts for preventing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) (PMC7755619). While there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that specifically bind Gn, research is ongoing into monoclonal antibodies and entry inhibitors, such as the lectin Griffithsin, which can block viral infection by targeting the glycosylated regions of the protein (PMC10572811). Therapeutic challenges include the high genetic diversity of hantavirus strains and the rapid autophagic degradation of Gn within host cells, which complicates the maintenance of stable protein levels for immune recognition (PMC4056013).

Other names

G1Glycoprotein 1Gn proteinHantavirus G1 proteinEnvelope glycoprotein G1

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking attachment to host cell receptors and preventing the structural rearrangements required for membrane fusion.