A soluble form of Epstein-Barr virus gH/gL inhibits EBV-induced membrane fusion and does not function in fusion

► Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) soluble gH/gL (sgH/gL) inhibits EBV-induced membrane fusion and does not function in fusion. ► sgH/gL stably binds gp42, but not gB nor gH/gL. ► Domain IV of gH/gL is required for proper folding and the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of EBV gH/gL are required for the most efficient fusion.