Glycoprotein

The EBOV genome contains seven genes: NP, VP35, VP40, GP, VP30, VP24 and L. However, more than seven proteins are produced owing to cotranscriptional editing and post-translational processing of the GP gene and gene products. The EBOV glycoprotein (GP) is the only virally expressed protein on the virion surface and is critical for attachment to host cells and catalysis of membrane fusion.

The causal agent, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is an enveloped negative strand RNA virus belonging to the rhabdovirus family. The viral glycoprotein (G protein) is the only protein known to be present on the surface of the virus particle and is the target of neutralising antibodies.

A glycoprotein is part of an extremely diverse group of linked amino acid and carbohydrate chains. Glycoproteins are found throughout nature and have a similarly diverse range of functions. They are one of two glycoconjugates-the other group is composed of glycolipids. Glycoprotein examples include fibrillins, mucins, tumor necrosis factor, and membrane glycoproteins on body cells, bacteria, and viruses.