The cell biology of receptor-mediated virus entry

Grove, Joe; Marsh, Mark

Cells raise multiple barriers to prevent virus infection. These are either general physical barriers, such as the plasma membrane or actin cortex, that define the cell or other restriction factors, often induced by interferons, that can be mobilized to limit viral replication. Although most viruses use broadly similar tactics to breach these barriers, many have developed unique approaches that ensure their delivery to optimal cellular sites for replication. The details of these specific mechanisms are starting to emerge. New technologies-in particular, in imaging-will provide key mechanistic insights into how virus receptors are organized, how they are commandeered by viruses to form functional entry complexes, and how they engage the machinery of the cell to mediate infection. Such information will be essential in the development of targeted and specific inhibitors of virus entry and infection.