Structure of Infective Getah Virus at 2.8 A-resolution Determined by Cryo-EM

Getah virus (GETV), a member of genus alphavirus, is a mosquito-borne pathogen that can cause pyrexia and reproductive losses in animals. Although antibodies to GETV have been found in over 10% of healthy people, there are no reports of clinical symptom associated with GETV. The biological and pathological properties of GETV are largely unknown. Here, we present the structure of infective GETV at a resolution of 2.8 [A] with the capsid protein and the envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. We have identified numerous glycosylation and S-acylation sites in E1 and E2. The surface-exposed glycans revealed their impact on the viral immune evasion and host cell invasion. The S-acylation sites involve in stabilizing the transmembrane assembly. In addition, a cholesterol and a phospholipid molecule are observed in a transmembrane hydrophobic pocket, together with two more cholesterols surrounding the pocket. The structural information will assist structure-based antiviral and vaccine design.