Virus entry is the process by which the incoming viral particle gains access to the host cell.

Viruses use virally encoded and cellular factors to overcome multiple obstacles to entry, allowing delivery to the subcellular site of viral genome replication. Endocytosis is a fundamental cellular activity that is utilized by the majority of animal virus families to introduce their genetic material to the cell interior. The different pathways include clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolae, macropinocytosis and nonclathrin, and noncaveolae routes. Following receptor binding and endocytic uptake, delivery of genetic cargo to the cytoplasm can occur either by fusion with the limiting membrane of an endosome (for enveloped viruses) or by pore formation or membrane permeabilization (for nonenveloped viruses). The acidic environment of an endocytic compartment is often needed to mediate penetration into the cytoplasm. Binding and penetration are mediated by viral proteins on the surface of the infecting virion. Investigation of viral entry reveals novel targets for interfering with the virus before it can commandeer the host cell machinery for replication.

We invite authors to submit original research articles as well as review articles that seek to define mechanisms leading to successful viral entry via endocytosis. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Cell receptor determinants for viral endocytosis
• Viral protein determinants of entry
• Virus-cell interactions
• Internalization, intracellular transport, and uncoating
• Viral penetration or membrane fusion
• Identification of cellular pathways for virus entry
• Molecular signaling during viral entry
• Development and testing of antiviral agents that target entry

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/av/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: