Parvovirus capsid structures and interactions with receptors and antibodies
Our studies of host range are examining the sequence of events which lead to infection of restriction of the different virus capsids - i.e. transport into the correct pathway for infection; disassembly of the virus capsid in the appropriate cellular compartment; and the transport of the capsid or viral DNA to the nucleus in a form which allows productive infection. These studies will include definition of the endocytic uptake pathways which are used by the viruses during the process of cell entry and infection (as described above), but characterizing the cellular molecules which act on the virus. We find that the capsids follow a variety of endocytic pathways within the cells.