). Importantly, T22K/A25K retained the binding specificity for HP and HS but not chondroitin sulfate, as shown by in vitro SPR and in vivo cell adhesion and competitive binding assays. Molecular modeling of the HBS was performed by dynamics simulations and provides an explanation of the specific binding mechanism in good agreement with the site-directed mutagenesis and SPR results. We conclude that a turn-like structure introduced by the KKPE segment in vaccinia viral envelope protein A27 is responsible for its specific binding to HP and to HS on cell surfaces.

No abstract