Animal virus receptors

Abstract

The term 'receptor' is generally accepted as the cell-surface component that participates in virus binding subsequent viral infection. Recent advances in technology have permitted the identicafication of several virus receptors, increasing our understanding of the significance ot this initial virus-cell and virus-host interaction. Virus binding was previously considered to involve simole recognition and attachment to a single cell surface molocule by virus attachment protein. The classical concept of these as single entities that participate in a lock-and-key-type process has been superseded by new data indicating that binding can be a multistep process, often involving different virus-attachment proteins and more than one-cell receptor.