Structure of the influenza virus haemagglutinin complexed with its receptor, sialic acid |
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Authors: | W Weis J H Brown S Cusack J C Paulson J J Skehel D C Wiley |
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Institution: | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. |
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Abstract: | The three-dimensional structures of influenza virus haemagglutinins complexed with cell receptor analogues show sialic acids bound to a pocket of conserved amino acids surrounded by antibody-binding sites. Sialic acid fills the conserved pocket, demonstrating that it is the influenza virus receptor. The proximity of the antibody-binding sites suggests that antibodies neutralize virus infectivity by preventing virus-to-cell binding. The structures suggest approaches to the design of anti-viral drugs that could block attachment of viruses to cells. |
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