In the mature flavivirus virion, the fusion peptide on the E protein is buried in the dimer interface.Which of the following conditions causes the fusion peptide to become exposed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the mature flavivirus virion is taken up via receptor-mediated endocytosis, it is internalized into an endosome. The low pH environment in the endosome (pH ~5) causes a conformational change in the E protein, resulting in the exposure of the fusion peptide. This allows the virion to fuse with the endosomal membrane and release its genetic material into the host cell cytoplasm. Therefore, the correct choice is D - Drop in pH in the endosome. The other choices do not directly cause the exposure of the fusion peptide.

In the Mature Flavivirus Virion, the Fusion Peptide on the E