Architecture of a Nascent Viral Fusion Pore

Architecture of a Nascent Viral Fusion Pore

Cryo-electron tomography reconstruction of a prefusion complex between whole influenza virions (upper left in each panel) and DOPC liposomes (lower right). Hemagglutinin-mediated membrane remodeling at pH 5.5, typical of early to maturing endosomes, involves interaction with discrete, localized sets of HA spikes and is focused on the target membrane, while the viral envelope remains largely unperturbed. Virtual 5.3 nm-thick serial sections through a reconstructed tomogram are shown. Lee, K. K., EMBO Journal (2010), in press.

Kelly Lee, University of Washington