Puumala virus glycoprotein Gc (PUUV Gc)

Puumala virus glycoprotein Gc is a key structural protein of the Puumala orthohantavirus, belonging to the Hantaviridae family (PMID: 26912448). It is a class II viral fusion protein that, together with the Gn glycoprotein, forms the spikes on the viral envelope surface (UniProt: P06435). Gc is responsible for the pH-dependent fusion between the viral and host endosomal membranes, a critical step for releasing the viral genome into the cytoplasm (PMID: 26912448). Puumala virus is the leading cause of nephropathia epidemica, a form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) characterized by fever, headache, and acute kidney injury (PMID: 23537641). Because Gc is highly immunogenic and contains major neutralizing epitopes, it is a primary target for vaccine development and the generation of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (PMID: 31142621). Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs specifically targeting Gc, but research into neutralizing antibodies and DNA vaccines is ongoing (PMID: 33066395). Diagnostic tests often utilize recombinant Gc to detect patient antibodies, making it a vital tool for clinical management (PMID: 25231300).

Other names

Puumala orthohantavirus glycoprotein GcPUUV Gc proteinEnvelope glycoprotein GcHantavirus Gc protein

Neutralization of viral entry by inhibiting the pH-dependent fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell endosomal membrane (PMID: 26912448).