Glycoprotein H & Glycoprotein L/gH & gL (HSV)

The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) gH-gL complex which is found in the virion envelope is essential for virus infectivity and is a major antigen for the host immune system.The heterodimer glycoprotein H-glycoprotein L is required for the fusion of viral and plasma membranes leading to virus entry into the host cell. Following initial binding to host receptor, membrane fusion is mediated by the fusion machinery composed of gB and the heterodimer gH/gL. May also be involved in the fusion between the virion envelope and the outer nuclear membrane during virion morphogenesis.