PMID: 22146396 , Related PDB ids: 3U82, 3U83

Authors:

Zhang N, Yan J, Lu G, Guo Z, Fan Z, Wang J, Shi Y, Qi J, Gao GF

Title:

Binding of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D to nectin-1 exploits host cell adhesion.

Journal:

Nat Commun. 2011 Dec 6;2:577. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1571.

Abstract:

Multiple surface envelope proteins are involved in the human herpes simplex virus type 1 entry and fusion. Among them, glycoprotein D (gD) has an important role by binding to the host receptors such as herpes virus entry mediator and nectin-1. Although the complex structure of gD with herpes virus entry mediator has been established, the binding mode of gD with the nectin-1 is elusive. Nectin-1 is a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig)-like (three Ig-like domains) cell adhesion molecules and is believed to form a homodimer to exert its functions. Here we report the complex structure of gD and nectin-1 (three Ig domains), revealing that gD binds the first Ig domain of nectin-1 in a similar mode to the nectin-1 homodimer interaction. The key amino acids responsible for nectin-1 dimerization are also used for gD/nectin-1 binding. This result indicates that binding of gD to nectin-1 would preclude the nectin-1 dimerization, consequently abolishing its cell adhesion function.