Attachment

Definition

Attachment is the process by which a virus binds to specific receptor molecules on the surface of a host cell. This interaction is critical for viral entry and subsequent infection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Attachment is highly specific, requiring precise interactions between viral proteins and host cell receptors.
2. The attachment phase determines the host range and tissue tropism of a virus.
3. Viral attachment can be inhibited by blocking the receptor sites or using antiviral agents that mimic receptor structures.
4. This step precedes any form of viral entry, such as fusion or endocytosis.
5. Mutations in either the viral attachment protein or the host receptor can affect the efficacy of attachment.

Review Questions

• What role do host cell receptors play in viral attachment?
• How does specificity in attachment influence the host range of a virus?
• What are possible methods to inhibit viral attachment?

Related terms

Host Cell Receptor:

A specific molecule on the surface of a host cell that a virus binds to during attachment.

Endocytosis:

A cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell through vesicle formation, often following viral attachment.

Fusion Protein: A protein used by some viruses to merge their envelope with the host cell membrane, facilitating entry after attachment.