Structural basis of mpox virus A30/H2 subcomplex formation

X Xiaohua Jia (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) S Sheng Lin (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) F Fanli Yang (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yu You (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) R Ruixi Yang (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Z Zimin Chen (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) L Liyan Guo (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) J Jing Yang L Lingling Wang X Xin Yuan X Xindan Zhang (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) P Pengli Xu (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Q Qin Tong (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) B Bin He (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids) Y Yu Cao (Stanford University , , , ,) J Jian Li Q Qi Zhao G Guangwen Lu (Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University)

Abstract

The continuous spread of mpox disease caused by mpox virus (MPXV) has posed great threat to global public health. The postattachment membrane fusion process of MPXV is mediated by a multimeric protein machinery, termed as entry-fusion complex (EFC). Among EFC components, A30 and H2 are the earliest identified interaction pair and play important roles in virus entry. Here, we determine the crystal structure of MPXV A30/H2 subcomplex via the tandem-fusion strategy, and show that A30 undergoes large conformational rearrangements upon H2 binding. Structural analysis reveals extended intersubunit interface and highly conserved intermolecular interactions. In vitro binding data further clarify key residues and elements involved in the A30/H2 subcomplex formation. Finally, we show that the H2-A30 fusion protein, superior to A30 ectodomain alone or the ectodomain-mixture of H2+A30, can induce more potent neutralizing-antibody responses which could inhibit viral infection. These data provide valuable information for the understanding of poxvirus EFC assembly and the H2-A30-based immunogen design and optimization.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 6
Published February 10, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (18)

X

Xiaohua Jia

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

S

Sheng Lin

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

F

Fanli Yang

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yu You

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

R

Ruixi Yang

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Z

Zimin Chen

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

L

Liyan Guo

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

J

Jing Yang

L

Lingling Wang

X

Xin Yuan

X

Xindan Zhang

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

P

Pengli Xu

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Q

Qin Tong

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

B

Bin He

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids

Y

Yu Cao

Stanford University , , , ,

J

Jian Li

Q

Qi Zhao

G

Guangwen Lu

Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University