A Mutation in the Stalk of the Newcastle Disease Virus Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) Protein Prevents Triggering of the F Protein despite Allowing Efficient HN-F Complex Formation

Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-induced membrane fusion requires formation of a complex between the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) proteins. Substitutions for NDV HN stalk residues A89, L90, and L94 block fusion by modulating formation of the HN-F complex. Here, we demonstrate that a nearby L97A substitution, though previously shown to block fusion, allows efficient HN-F complex formation and likely acts by preventing changes in the HN stalk required for triggering of the bound F protein.