Hypothetical model of NS1 ED transient homotypic interactions.

<p>Cartoon summarizing various possible states of the NS1 ED in the context of the full-length protein. The flexible inter-domain linker permits a range of ED conformations from ‘helix-open’ to ‘helix-closed’. Such variability is promoted by the helix-helix interface being weak and transient. The mAb 1A7 only recognizes NS1 when W187 is exposed (‘helix-open’). Some functions potentially associated with each conformer are listed. It is likely that certain states are temporally or spatially regulated during infection, either by protein-protein interactions or by post-translational modifications. The NS1 monomers are colored green and wheat. The dsRNA is colored in shades of blue to represent possible different binding affinities to NS1. Models generated using the following PDB IDs: 3F5T, 2RHK, and 2ZKO.