Virus receptors: implications for pathogenesis and the design of antiviral agents.

TitleVirus receptors: implications for pathogenesis and the design of antiviral agents.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1995
AuthorsNorkin LC
JournalClin Microbiol Rev
Volume8
Issue2
Pagination293-315
Date Published1995 Apr
ISSN0893-8512
KeywordsAntigens, CD4, Antiviral Agents, Coronavirus, Drug Design, Herpesviridae, HIV, Humans, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, Models, Molecular, Picornaviridae, Receptors, Virus, Retroviridae
Abstract

A virus initiates infection by attaching to its specific receptor on the surface of a susceptible host cell. This prepares the way for the virus to enter the cell. Consequently, the expression of the receptor on specific cells and tissues of the host is a major determinant of the route of entry of the virus into the host and of the patterns of virus spread and pathogenesis in the host. This review emphasizes the virus-receptor interactions of human immunodeficiency virus, the rhinoviruses, the herpesviruses, and the coronaviruses. These interactions are often found to be complex and dynamic, involving multiple sites or factors on both the virus and the host cell. Also, the receptor may play an important role in virus entry per se in addition to its role in virus binding. In the cases of human immunodeficiency virus and the rhinoviruses, ingenious approaches to therapeutic strategies based on inhibiting virus attachment and entry are under development and in clinical trials.

Alternate JournalClin. Microbiol. Rev.
PubMed ID7621403