What does the molecular structure of viruses tell us about viral functions

摘要: The structures of the protein shell a number simple icosahedral RNA plant and animal viruses are now known at atomic resolution. In addition, components viral capsids such as haemagglutinin neuraminidase spikes influenza virus hexon unit adenovirus in similar detail. These have provided wealth information on assembly, disassembly, antigenic surface available to neutralizing antibodies, host cell receptor attachment site, fusion particles with cell, processing polyproteins during maturation manner which antiviral agents can interfere function capsid.