Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections
Viral infections are a major global health concern, affecting millions of people each year. Viral entry is one of the crucial stages in the infection process, but its details remain elusive. Enveloped viruses are enclosed by a lipid membrane that protects their genetic material and these viruses are...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-02-01
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| Series: | FEBS Open Bio |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13908 |
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| author | Mariana Valério Carolina C. Buga Manuel N. Melo Cláudio M. Soares Diana Lousa |
| author_facet | Mariana Valério Carolina C. Buga Manuel N. Melo Cláudio M. Soares Diana Lousa |
| author_sort | Mariana Valério |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Viral infections are a major global health concern, affecting millions of people each year. Viral entry is one of the crucial stages in the infection process, but its details remain elusive. Enveloped viruses are enclosed by a lipid membrane that protects their genetic material and these viruses are linked to various human illnesses, including influenza, and COVID‐19. Due to the advancements made in the field of molecular simulation, significant progress has been made in unraveling the dynamic processes involved in viral entry of enveloped viruses. Simulation studies have provided deep insight into the function of the proteins responsible for attaching to the host receptors and promoting membrane fusion (fusion proteins), deciphering interactions between these proteins and receptors, and shedding light on the functional significance of key regions, such as the fusion peptide. These studies have already significantly contributed to our understanding of this critical aspect of viral infection and assisted the development of effective strategies to combat viral diseases and improve global health. This review focuses on the vital role of fusion proteins in facilitating the entry process of enveloped viruses and highlights the contributions of molecular simulation studies to uncover the molecular details underlying their mechanisms of action. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8355cb2ee8554d61849705eb9cbf23c1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-5463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | FEBS Open Bio |
| spelling | doaj-art-8355cb2ee8554d61849705eb9cbf23c12025-02-03T10:59:30ZengWileyFEBS Open Bio2211-54632025-02-0115226928410.1002/2211-5463.13908Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infectionsMariana Valério0Carolina C. Buga1Manuel N. Melo2Cláudio M. Soares3Diana Lousa4Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras PortugalInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras PortugalInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras PortugalInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras PortugalInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras PortugalViral infections are a major global health concern, affecting millions of people each year. Viral entry is one of the crucial stages in the infection process, but its details remain elusive. Enveloped viruses are enclosed by a lipid membrane that protects their genetic material and these viruses are linked to various human illnesses, including influenza, and COVID‐19. Due to the advancements made in the field of molecular simulation, significant progress has been made in unraveling the dynamic processes involved in viral entry of enveloped viruses. Simulation studies have provided deep insight into the function of the proteins responsible for attaching to the host receptors and promoting membrane fusion (fusion proteins), deciphering interactions between these proteins and receptors, and shedding light on the functional significance of key regions, such as the fusion peptide. These studies have already significantly contributed to our understanding of this critical aspect of viral infection and assisted the development of effective strategies to combat viral diseases and improve global health. This review focuses on the vital role of fusion proteins in facilitating the entry process of enveloped viruses and highlights the contributions of molecular simulation studies to uncover the molecular details underlying their mechanisms of action.https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13908enveloped virusesfusion peptidemembrane fusionmolecular simulationreceptor bindingviral entry |
| spellingShingle | Mariana Valério Carolina C. Buga Manuel N. Melo Cláudio M. Soares Diana Lousa Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections FEBS Open Bio enveloped viruses fusion peptide membrane fusion molecular simulation receptor binding viral entry |
| title | Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| title_full | Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| title_fullStr | Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| title_full_unstemmed | Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| title_short | Viral entry mechanisms: the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| title_sort | viral entry mechanisms the role of molecular simulation in unlocking a key step in viral infections |
| topic | enveloped viruses fusion peptide membrane fusion molecular simulation receptor binding viral entry |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13908 |
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