Membrane Fusion Intermediates Induced by Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

Abstract

Influenza virus hemagglutinin is a paradigm for biological membrane fusion mechanisms. Among the most important recent progresses in this field are “spring-loaded mechanism” based on a coiled-coil of α-helices and “microprotrusion of lipid bilayer” which was found through a quick-freezing electron microscopic observation. Possible molecular architectures of membrane fusion intermediates induced by hemagglutinin are discussed.