Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins

<i>Henipaviruses</i> are emerging zoonotic viruses that have caused deadly outbreaks in humans and livestock across several regions of the world. The fusion (F) protein of <i>henipaviruses</i> plays a critical role in viral entry into host cells and represents a key determina...

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Main Authors: Chanakha K. Navaratnarajah, Roberto Cattaneo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/6/866
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author Chanakha K. Navaratnarajah
Roberto Cattaneo
author_facet Chanakha K. Navaratnarajah
Roberto Cattaneo
author_sort Chanakha K. Navaratnarajah
collection DOAJ
description <i>Henipaviruses</i> are emerging zoonotic viruses that have caused deadly outbreaks in humans and livestock across several regions of the world. The fusion (F) protein of <i>henipaviruses</i> plays a critical role in viral entry into host cells and represents a key determinant of viral pathogenicity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current knowledge regarding trafficking, activation, as well as the role in particle assembly, of <i>henipavirus</i> F proteins. We discuss the unique characteristics of <i>henipavirus</i> F proteins compared to other paramyxovirus fusion proteins, with particular emphasis on their distinctive trafficking and activation mechanisms. Attention is also given to novel <i>henipaviruses</i> that have been detected in hosts other than bats, namely rodents and shrews. These viruses are sufficiently different that the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses has proposed a new genus for them, the <i>Parahenipaviruses</i>. We discuss how variations in F protein characteristics between <i>Henipaviruses</i>, <i>Parahenipaviruses</i>, and yet-unclassified henipa-like viruses might influence their trafficking and activation. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies against <i>henipavirus</i> infections and for predicting the emergence of novel <i>henipavirus</i> strains with pandemic potential.
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spelling doaj-art-25823c7d1275494e9bc91fd6f0be983c2025-08-20T03:32:32ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-06-0117686610.3390/v17060866Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion ProteinsChanakha K. Navaratnarajah0Roberto Cattaneo1Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905, USADepartment of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905, USA<i>Henipaviruses</i> are emerging zoonotic viruses that have caused deadly outbreaks in humans and livestock across several regions of the world. The fusion (F) protein of <i>henipaviruses</i> plays a critical role in viral entry into host cells and represents a key determinant of viral pathogenicity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current knowledge regarding trafficking, activation, as well as the role in particle assembly, of <i>henipavirus</i> F proteins. We discuss the unique characteristics of <i>henipavirus</i> F proteins compared to other paramyxovirus fusion proteins, with particular emphasis on their distinctive trafficking and activation mechanisms. Attention is also given to novel <i>henipaviruses</i> that have been detected in hosts other than bats, namely rodents and shrews. These viruses are sufficiently different that the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses has proposed a new genus for them, the <i>Parahenipaviruses</i>. We discuss how variations in F protein characteristics between <i>Henipaviruses</i>, <i>Parahenipaviruses</i>, and yet-unclassified henipa-like viruses might influence their trafficking and activation. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies against <i>henipavirus</i> infections and for predicting the emergence of novel <i>henipavirus</i> strains with pandemic potential.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/6/866viral entryzoonotic diseasesparamyxovirusnipah virushendra viruscedar virus
spellingShingle Chanakha K. Navaratnarajah
Roberto Cattaneo
Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
Viruses
viral entry
zoonotic diseases
paramyxovirus
nipah virus
hendra virus
cedar virus
title Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
title_full Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
title_fullStr Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
title_full_unstemmed Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
title_short Trafficking and Activation of <i>Henipavirus</i>, <i>Parahenipavirus,</i> and Henipa-like Virus Fusion Proteins
title_sort trafficking and activation of i henipavirus i i parahenipavirus i and henipa like virus fusion proteins
topic viral entry
zoonotic diseases
paramyxovirus
nipah virus
hendra virus
cedar virus
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/6/866
work_keys_str_mv AT chanakhaknavaratnarajah traffickingandactivationofihenipavirusiiparahenipavirusiandhenipalikevirusfusionproteins
AT robertocattaneo traffickingandactivationofihenipavirusiiparahenipavirusiandhenipalikevirusfusionproteins