Binding of viral attachment protein to host-cell receptor: the Achilles heel of infectious viruses

Viruses attach to cells as a result of binding of a viral attachment protein to a site on a host-cell receptor. Unlike other portions of viral polypeptides, the attachment protein is likely to be highly conserved among strains of viruses that bind to the same receptor. Thus, it may represent the Achilles heel at which therapeutic agents can be targeted. Thomas Lentz reviews the nature of binding domains on viral attachment proteins and on their cellular receptors and discusses the types of agent that act by competing binding of virus to receptors. Characterization of virus-receptor interactions at a molecular level will permit the rational design and production of agents that prevent virus attachment. Of particular promise are designed analogs of the binding site of the receptor (receptor-mimics) that have the ability to bind to the- viral attachment protein.