gB glycoprotein

Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), also known as human herpesvirus 1 and 2 (HHV-1 and HHV-2), are two members of the herpesvirus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV- 1 (which produces most cold sores) and HSV-2 (which produces most genital herpes) are ubiquitous and contagious. They can be spread when an infected person is producing and shedding the virus. Envelope glycoprotein B forms spikes at the surface of virion envelope. It is essential for the initial attachment to heparan sulfate moities of the host cell surface proteoglycans and involved in fusion of viral and cellular membranes leading to virus entry into the host cell. Following initial binding to its host receptors, membrane fusion is mediated by the fusion machinery composed at least of gB and the heterodimer gH/gL. gB may be involved in the fusion between the virion envelope and the outer nuclear membrane during virion egress, it also plays a role, together with gK, in virus-induced cell-tocell fusion (syncytia formation).