All enveloped viruses require the fusion of the viral membrane with the cellular membrane for infection. This process is mediated by the viral glycoprotein that, upon interaction with specific host proteins, undergoes an extensive conformational rearrangement that generates the energy required for membrane fusion. Although the overall activation mechanism is conserved among viruses, the triggers widely differ and many host factors remain to be identified. Using small molecule inhibitors of virus infection obtained in high-throughput screening, my research aims to identify the host proteins involved in infection and investigate how they mediate virus entry. My studies will lead to a better understanding of viral pathogenesis and aid in the development of new antiviral therapies. 

Côté M*, Zheng YM*, Li K, Xian SH, Albritton LM, Liu SL

Critical role of leucine-valine change in distinct low pH requirements for membrane fusion between two related retrovirus envelopes. J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar; 287(10):7640-51 * contributed equally

Côté M, Zheng YM, Liu SL

Single residues in the surface subunit of oncogenic sheep retrovirus envelopes distinguish receptor mediated triggering for fusion at low pH and infection. Virology. 2011 Sept; 421(2):173-83

Côté M*,Misasi J*, Ren T*, Bruchez A*, Lee K, Filone CM, Hensley L, Li Q, Ory D,Chandran K, Cunningham J

Small molecule inhibitors reveal Niemanm-Pick C1 is essential for Ebola virus infection. Nature. 2011 Aug;477(7364):344-8 * contributed equally

Côté M, Zheng YM, Liu SL

Receptor binding and low pH coactivate oncogenic retrovirus envelope-mediated fusion. J Virol. 2009 Nov;83(22):11447-55

Côté M, Kucharski TJ, Liu SL

Enzootic nasal tumor virus envelope requires a very acidic pH for fusion activation and infection. J Virol. 2008 Sep; 82(18):9023-34

Côté M, Zheng YM, Albritton LM, LiuSL

Fusogenicity of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus envelope protein is dependent on low pH and is enhanced by cytoplasmic tail truncations. J Virol. 2008 Mar;82(5):2543-54