Puumala virus glycoprotein Gn (Gn)

Puumala virus glycoprotein Gn is a critical structural protein located on the surface of the Puumala virus (PUUV), an orthohantavirus primarily transmitted by bank voles (UniProt P23457). It forms a heterotetrameric spike complex with glycoprotein Gc, which is essential for the virus's ability to attach to and enter host cells, particularly endothelial cells (PubMed 35294259). Gn plays a dual role: it facilitates initial receptor binding, often involving beta-3 integrins, and acts as a 'cap' to protect the fusion loops of Gc from premature activation until the virus reaches the endosome (PubMed 33353741). Beyond its structural functions, Gn is involved in virion assembly and can modulate the host's innate immune response by interfering with interferon signaling (PubMed 22532695). In humans, PUUV infection leads to nephropathia epidemica, a form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) (PubMed 22135145). Because Gn is a primary target for neutralizing antibodies, it is a focal point for the development of vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, such as ADI-42898, which aim to block viral entry and provide protection against infection (PubMed 35294259).

Other names

Glycoprotein 1G1PUUV GnPuumala orthohantavirus glycoprotein GnEnvelop glycoprotein Gn

Neutralization of viral entry by blocking host cell attachment or preventing the conformational changes required for membrane fusion (PubMed 35294259, PubMed 33353741).