[Role of N-linked glycans in the functions of hepatitis C virus envelope glycoproteins]

Ann Biol Clin (Paris). 2007 May-Jun;65(3):237-46.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an enveloped virus and encodes two envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2. E1 and E2 are transmembrane type I proteins with a N-terminal ectodomain and C-terminal anchor. During their synthesis, E1 and E2 ectodomains are targeted in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen where they are modified by N-linked glycosylation. After their synthesis, E1 and E2 assemble as a non-covalent heterodimer. The N-linked glycosylation is based on the recognition of specific asparagine residue in the context of the consensus sequence Asn-X-Ser/Thr. E1 contains potentially 4 or 5 N-linked glycosylation sites and E2 up to 11. Recent data indicated that some glycans of glycoproteins E1 and E2 play a major role in protein folding and heterodimer formation. Some N-linked glycans of E2 were involved in interactions with CD81, a putative cellular receptor for HCV. It appeared that N-linked glycans of E1 and E2 played an important role of in the viral entry.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Glycosylation
  • Hepacivirus / metabolism*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Polysaccharides / physiology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Polysaccharides
  • Viral Envelope Proteins