Conformational change and protein–protein interactions of the fusion protein of Semliki Forest virus

Don L. Gibbons, Marie-Christine Vaney, Alain Roussel, Armelle Vigouroux, Brigid Reilly, Jean Lepault, Margaret Kielian () and Félix A. Rey ()
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Don L. Gibbons: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA
Marie-Christine Vaney: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA
Alain Roussel: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA
Armelle Vigouroux: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA
Brigid Reilly: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Jean Lepault: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA
Margaret Kielian: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Félix A. Rey: Virologie Moléculaire & Structurale, UMR 2472/1157 CNRS-INRA

Nature, 2004, vol. 427, issue 6972, 320-325

Abstract: Abstract Fusion of biological membranes is mediated by specific lipid-interacting proteins that induce the formation and expansion of an initial fusion pore. Here we report the crystal structure of the ectodomain of the Semliki Forest virus fusion glycoprotein E1 in its low-pH-induced trimeric form. E1 adopts a folded-back conformation that, in the final post-fusion form of the full-length protein, would bring the fusion peptide loop and the transmembrane anchor to the same end of a stable protein rod. The observed conformation of the fusion peptide loop is compatible with interactions only with the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer. Crystal contacts between fusion peptide loops of adjacent E1 trimers, together with electron microscopy observations, suggest that in an early step of membrane fusion, an intermediate assembly of five trimers creates two opposing nipple-like deformations in the viral and target membranes, leading to formation of the fusion pore.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1038/nature02239

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