Figure 4.

Virally induced fusion. (A) Fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane. Fusion of virus with the host cell membrane. Virus envelope contains fusion protein, which is recognized by receptors on the host cell membrane. After binding to its receptor, viral fusion protein unfolds, causing membrane scission and allowing the viral genome to enter the host cell. (B) Virally induced fusion of host cells. An infected cell expresses viral fusion protein on its surface. Fusion protein binds to its receptor on the surface of the noninfected cells promoting cell fusion. Resulting multinuclear syncytium replicates the viral genome, becoming the virus’s reservoir and facilitating the virus’s further spreading.