Cryo-EM structure of adenovirus type 3 fibre with desmoglein 2 shows a novel mode of receptor engagement

Attachment of adenovirus (HAd) to host cell is a critical step of infection. This work reports the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of a non-symmetrical complex smaller than 100kDa formed by the trimeric human adenovirus of type 3 fibre knob (HAd3K) and human desmoglein 2 (DSG2). The structure reveals a unique stoichiometry, shedding light to new adenovirus infection strategies and providing new insights for adenoviral vector development.