Stochastic Model of Influenza Virus Fusion

Influenza virus binds to the receptors of the host cell plasma membrane via its spike glycoproteiil heinagglutinin (HA)(Fig. 1 ). After uptake of influenza virus into a host cell by the endocytic route, the ectodomain of HA undergoes a conformational change at the acidic pH milieu in the late endosomal linnen, alld triggers the fusion between the viral envelope and the endosomal membrane. The conformational change is accompanied by the exposure of a hydrophobic fusion sequence inserting eventually into the target membrane [1]. Interaction with the receptor of the target cell may be essential for the conformational change. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.