Binding of measles virus hemagglutinin (MVH) to its cellular receptors triggers the activation of the fusion protein. The conformational changes of MVH upon receptor binding are now examined by locking the dimers using disulfide bonds, or by pulling on appropriately positioned hexahistidine tags. The results indicate that the dimer interface is pulled apart after receptor binding by twisting of the MVH heads.
- Chanakha K Navaratnarajah
- Numan Oezguen
- Roberto Cattaneo