EBOV GP Proteins and Enzymes

The GP glycoprotein encoded by the genome of Ebola family viruses is a critical molecule for the pathogenicity of Ebolavirus hemorrhagic viruses. It is processed into GP1 and GP2 fragments which remain disulfide linked. GP1 is entirely extracellular while GP2 is a transmembrane protein. GP expressed on virus infected cells can be shed by TACE mediated cleavage, liberating a disulfide linked complex of soluble GP1 and truncated GP2. GP binds to multiple C-type lectins on target cell surfaces, including CLEC10A/MGL, DC-SIGN, and DC-SIGNR. Following internalization, GP1 is cleaved by Cathepsin B and Cathepsin L and then interacts with Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) in the endosomal membrane.