Membrane fusion protein

Membrane fusion proteins (not to be confused with chimeric or fusion proteins) are proteins that cause fusion of biological membranes. Membrane fusion is critical for many biological processes, especially in eukaryotic development and viral entry. Fusion proteins can originate from genes encoded by infectious enveloped viruses, ancient retroviruses integrated into the host genome,^[1] or solely by the host genome.^[2] Post-transcriptional modifications made to the fusion proteins by the host, namely addition and modification of glycans and acetyl groups, can drastically affect fusogenicity (the ability to fuse).^[3]

^ Classification of viral fusion proteins in TCDB database
^ Klapper R, Stute C, Schomaker O, Strasser T, Janning W, Renkawitz-Pohl R, Holz A (January 2002). "The formation of syncytia within the visceral musculature of the Drosophila midgut is dependent on duf, sns and mbc". Mechanisms of Development. 110 (1–2): 85–96. doi:10.1016/S0925-4773(01)00567-6. PMID 11744371.
^ Ortega V, Stone JA, Contreras EM, Iorio RM, Aguilar HC (January 2019). "Addicted to sugar: roles of glycans in the order Mononegavirales". Glycobiology. 29 (1): 2–21. doi:10.1093/glycob/cwy053. PMC 6291800. PMID 29878112.

[1] Classification of viral fusion proteins in TCDB database

[2] Klapper R, Stute C, Schomaker O, Strasser T, Janning W, Renkawitz-Pohl R, Holz A (January 2002). "The formation of syncytia within the visceral musculature of the Drosophila midgut is dependent on duf, sns and mbc". Mechanisms of Development. 110 (1–2): 85–96. doi:10.1016/S0925-4773(01)00567-6. PMID 11744371.

[3] Ortega V, Stone JA, Contreras EM, Iorio RM, Aguilar HC (January 2019). "Addicted to sugar: roles of glycans in the order Mononegavirales". Glycobiology. 29 (1): 2–21. doi:10.1093/glycob/cwy053. PMC 6291800. PMID 29878112.

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