FIG. 6.

Role of VP5* in rotavirus entry. The role of VP5* in the rotavirus entry process is hypothesized in light of its ability to selectively permeabilize membranes. Rotavirus is drawn as a circle with protruding VP4 spikes initially entering an early endosome. The outer capsid proteins on the virion are presumed to maintain contacts with receptors, while fusogenic domains of VP5* are exposed following VP4 cleavage in order to selectively permeabilize the early endosomal membrane. Permeabilization of early endosomes presumably lowers the [Ca]_i surrounding the virions and permits virion uncoating.