Viroporins: Structure, function, and their role in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: Viroporins are indispensable for viral replication. As intracellular ion channels they disturb pH gradients of organelles and allow Ca²⁺ flux across ER membranes. Viroporins interact with numerous intracellular proteins and pathways and can trigger inflammatory responses. Thus, they are relevant targets in the search for antiviral drugs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) underlies the world-wide pandemic of COVID-19, where an effective therapy is still lacking despite impressive progress in the development of vaccines and vaccination campaigns. Among the 29 proteins of SARS-CoV-2, the E- and ORF3a proteins have been identified as viroporins that contribute to the massive release of inflammatory cytokines observed in COVID-19. Here, we describe structur

SUBMITTER: Breitinger U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8868010 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature