Endothelial protein C receptor is an entry receptor for Langya and related parahenipaviruses

A 3.1 Å cryo-EM structure shows Langya attachment glycoprotein binds endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) via a distinct site, enabling entry for Langya and related parahenipaviruses.

• Why it matters: Understanding which host receptor Langya clade viruses use is key to assessing cross-species transmission risk and potential for human infection.
• What they did: The study identified EPCR as an entry receptor for Langya, Wenzhou, and Mojiang parahenipaviruses, then used cryo-electron microscopy to map the binding interface and tested interface substitutions for entry loss.
• The result: Interface substitutions abolished entry, and natural EPCR variation explained differential human EPCR use while predicting receptor compatibility across 26 animal species, providing a structural basis for transmission potential.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.