Protein recognition by cell surface receptors: physiological receptors versus virus interactions

Trends Biochem Sci. 2002 Mar;27(3):122-6. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0004(01)02038-2.

Abstract

Protein-protein recognition is a major kind of receptor-ligand interaction: a living cell receives external signals to adapt to the environment through cell surface receptors. On opposing cell surfaces, such recognition bears distinct features: it is a multivalent, reversible and avidity-driven process. The affinity between each individual contacting pair is low. Viruses might take advantage of this low affinity to invade a host cell by evolving a stronger binding affinity to the surface receptors than that associated with physiological ligands. Structural data appear to support this notion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CD2 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Communication
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*

Substances

  • CD2 Antigens
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Ligands
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface