Spike protein
A peplomer is a glycoprotein spike on a viral capsid or viral envelope.[1] These protrusions will only bind to certain receptors on the host cell: they are essential for both host specificity and viral infectivity. The term 'peplomer' is typically used to refer to a grouping of heterologous proteins on the virus surface that function together.
The tail fibers of some bacteriophages, especially the T4-like phages, are modified peplomers. Influenza virus has 2 kinds of peplomers 1 triangular spike shaped 2 "haemagglutinin" and mushroom shaped "neuraminidase"
See also
References
- ^ Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (3rd ed.). Elsevier, Inc. 2007. as cited in "peplomer". The Free Dictionary. Farlex. 2011. Retrieved 30 Mar 2011.
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