Figure 10. Schematic representation of the intervention of integrins in the process of HSV entry and in the cascade of activation of the fusion glycoproteins.

Following HSV attachment to cells via heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycans (1), the interaction of gD with one of its receptors activates gD (2); the activation is propagated to gH/gL; the details of this interaction are still under investigation. Integrins intervene (3): they promote endocytosis, and, most likely, induce or contribute to conformational changes, hence to activation of gH/gL. The gH/gL activation is propagated to gB. Endosomal acidification (4). Fusion execution by gB (5). Color code of the glycoproteins as in [69]. gH/gL and gB are shown in the resolved post-fusion structures.