Adenovirus type 37 (Ad37) causes epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, a highly contagious disease for which there is no specific antiviral therapy. The receptor for Ad37 infection was previously unidentified, but known to contain sialic acid. Nilsson et al. report here that Ad37 binds to the GD1a glycan motif of the GD1a ganglioside. This finding may facilitate the development of antiviral agents targeting Ad37-associated disease.
- Emma C Nilsson
- Rickard J Storm
- Niklas Arnberg