Herpesviruses contain two conserved fusion machinery components, gB and the gH–gL complex. The crystal structure of the gH ectodomain bound to gL from herpes simplex virus 2 forms an unusually tight complex that does not resemble any known fusogen. Instead, it is proposed that gH–gL may activate the fusogenic potential of gB by binding it directly.
- Tirumala K Chowdary
- Tina M Cairns
- Ekaterina E Heldwein
