Two mutations in the HR2 region of Newcastle disease virus fusion protein with a cleavage motif “RRQRRL” are critical for fusogenic activity

Abstract

Our results demonstrated that two amino acids (D479, S486) of the virulent strain F protein with this unique Fcs were critical for promoting fusogenic activity, and residue F or L at position 117 did not affect syncytium formation. These findings provide novel insights into fusogenic triggering by the fusion protein and may be useful for designing antiviral peptides.