Title

Role of electrostatic repulsion in controlling pH-dependent conformational changes of viral fusion proteins

ORCID

Joseph Harrison: 0000-0002-2118-6524

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Structure

Department

Chemistry

ISSN

1878-4186

Volume

21

Issue

7

DOI

10.1016/j.str.2013.05.009

First Page

1085

Last Page

1096

Publication Date

7-2-2013

Abstract

Viral fusion proteins undergo dramatic conformational transitions during membrane fusion. For viruses that enter through the endosome, these conformational rearrangements are typically pH sensitive. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the molecular interactions that govern pH-dependent rearrangements and introduce a paradigm for electrostatic residue pairings that regulate progress through the viral fusion coordinate. Analysis of structural data demonstrates a significant role for side-chain protonation in triggering conformational change. To characterize this behavior, we identify two distinct residue pairings, which we define as Histidine-Cation (HisCat) and Anion-Anion (AniAni) interactions. These side-chain pairings destabilize a particular conformation via electrostatic repulsion through side-chain protonation. Furthermore, two energetic control mechanisms, thermodynamic and kinetic, regulate these structural transitions. This review expands on the current literature by identification of these residue clusters, discussion of data demonstrating their function, and speculation of how these residue pairings contribute to the energetic controls.

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