Viroporins

Viroporins are a group of proteins that participate in several viral functions, including the promotion of release of viral particles from cells. These proteins also affect cellular functions, including the cell vesicle system, glycoprotein trafficking and membrane permeability. Viroporins are not e...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gonzalez Portal, Maria Eugenia, Carrasco, Luis
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2003
País:España
Institución:Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
Repositorio:Repisalud
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/7778
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/7778
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Amino Acid Sequence
Amino Acids
Antiviral Agents
Cell Membrane
Cell Membrane Permeability
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins
Ion Channels
Lipid Bilayers
Models, Molecular
Molecular Sequence Data
Picornaviridae
Protein Structure, Tertiary
Viral Envelope Proteins
Viral Matrix Proteins
Descripción
Sumario:Viroporins are a group of proteins that participate in several viral functions, including the promotion of release of viral particles from cells. These proteins also affect cellular functions, including the cell vesicle system, glycoprotein trafficking and membrane permeability. Viroporins are not essential for the replication of viruses, but their presence enhances virus growth. Comprising some 60-120 amino acids, viroporins have a hydrophobic transmembrane domain that interacts with and expands the lipid bilayer. Some viroporins also contain other motifs, such as basic amino acid residues or a domain rich in aromatic amino acids that confers on the protein the ability to interact with the interfacial lipid bilayer. Viroporin oligomerization gives rise to hydrophilic pores at the membranes of virus-infected cells. As the list of known viroporins steadily grows, recent research efforts focus on deciphering the actions of the viroporins poliovirus 2B, alphavirus 6K, HIV-1 Vpu and influenza virus M2. All these proteins can enhance the passage of ions and small molecules through membranes depending on their concentration gradient. Future work will lengthen the list of viroporins and will provide a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action.