FIG. 7.

Hypothetical model of membrane binding by VP40. (A) Oligomerization-competent VP40. Monomeric VP40 binds to membranes, which leads to a displacement of the C-terminal domain relative to the N-terminal domain and exposure of the oligomerization interface within the N-terminal domain (depicted as a dark gray box). Oligomerization leads to the recruitment of additional membrane-binding domains, stabilizing the interaction of VP40 with the membrane. For simplicity, only two subunits of VP40 oligomers are depicted. (B) Oligomerization-deficient VP40. Oligomerization-deficient VP40 is not able to recruit additional membrane binding domains and quickly dissociates from cellular membranes.