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Enveloped viruses like the influenza virus infect host cells through membrane fusion by means of specialized proteins on the envelope surface. One of the best characterized of such viral fusion proteins is the homotrimeric glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) on the surface of influenza viruses. The N-terminal region of the membraneinteracting HA2 domain – also called fusion peptide – is known to insert into the endosomal target membrane and trigger fusion between the viral and the endosomal membrane.