G'day everyone;
There is an idea which has been put to me, and I thought I
might post it to see what other peoples views might be. It is as follows:-
The surface of a cell has a net charge which is of the same type as a
viral surface. So for a virus to find a receptor or protein which it can
form an attachment with, it must scan the surface of the cell. This is
achieved by Brownian motion - ie the virus oscillates in a localised area.
First of all - are their any feelings for or against this view?
Secondly - How exactly does the virus find the target? Is there slightly
less repulsion in one area for migration? Does electrostatic forces
dictate the attachment? Is the range being described here close enough for
electrostatic attraction?
Any thoughts?
Leonard Pattenden
3D Centre for Drug Design and Development
UQ Australia.
