Glycoprotein C/gC (HSV)

Herpesvirus infections are widely spread throughout the world population. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the α-herpesvirus subfamily. There are two main types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which infect humans. HSV-2 mainly causes genital lesions, whereas HSV-1 is involved in both oral and genital infections. Glycoprotein C (gC) is a structural component of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) envelope that mediates binding of the virus to cell surface heparan sulfate or chondroitin sulfate. Also plays a role in host immune evasion by inhibiting the host complement cascade activation (By similarity).