MERS coronavirus envelope protein has a single transmembrane domain that forms pentameric ion channels.
Virus Res 2015;
201:61-6. [PMID:
25733052 PMCID:
PMC7114494 DOI:
10.1016/j.virusres.2015.02.023]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The envelope protein of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV E protein) has been purified.
MERS-CoV E protein forms pentameric ion channels.
MERS-CoV E protein has one transmembrane domain.
The full length construct obtained is amenable to structural determination by NMR in detergents.
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a newly identified pathogen able of human transmission that causes a mortality of almost 40%. As in the case of SARS-CoV, MERS virus lacking E protein represents a potential vaccine. In both cases, abolishment of channel activity may be a contributor to the attenuation observed in E-deleted viruses. Herein, we report that purified MERS-CoV E protein, like SARS-CoV E protein, is almost fully α-helical, has a single α-helical transmembrane domain, and forms pentameric ion channels in lipid bilayers. Based on these similarities, and the proposed involvement of channel activity as virulence factor in SARS-CoV E protein, MERS-CoV E protein may constitute a potential drug target.
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