Functions of Viroporins in the Viral Life Cycle and Their Regulation of Host Cell Responses

Abstract

Viroporins are virally encoded transmembrane proteins that are essential for viral pathogenicity and can participate in various stages of the viral life cycle, thereby promoting viral proliferation. Viroporins have multifaceted effects on host cell biological functions, including altering cell membrane permeability, triggering inflammasome formation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and evading immune responses, thereby ensuring that the virus completes its life cycle. Viroporins are also virulence factors, and their complete or partial deletion often reduces virion release and reduces viral pathogenicity, highlighting the important role of these proteins in the viral life cycle. Thus, viroporins represent a common drug-protein target for inhibiting drugs and the development of antiviral therapies. This article reviews current studies on the functions of viroporins in the viral life cycle and their regulation of host cell responses, with the aim of improving the understanding of this growing family of viral proteins.

Differences in Oligomerization of the SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein, Poliovirus VP4, and HIV Vpu

“…First, differences in the constructs used, especially between the transmembrane domain versus the full-length protein, may affect oligomeric behavior. 5 However, our previous results comparing the fulllength and transmembrane peptide of M2 revealed similar, although not identical, patterns of oligomerization. 22 Additionally, differences in sample conditions may significantly affect oligomerization, with changes caused by differences in the buffer, protein concentration, and detergent/lipid environment used.…”

“…It is possible that their complexity has been underestimated for several reasons. First, differences in the constructs used, especially between the transmembrane domain versus the full-length protein, may affect oligomeric behavior . However, our previous results comparing the full-length and transmembrane peptide of M2 revealed similar, although not identical, patterns of oligomerization …”

“…1−4 They also can play vital roles in viral entry and uncoating, in inducing membrane curvature, and in the scission of the viral bud. 5,6 Importantly, blocking the channel activity with drugs or deleting viroporins from the viral genome can attenuate viral growth. 4,7,8 The diverse roles of viroporins in infections make them a potential target for the development of antiviral therapeutics.…”

“…Viroporins are a class of viral proteins that have a wide range of functions in viral life cycles. Although there is very little sequence homology among viroporins from different viruses, several have demonstrated ion channel activity, potentially by forming homo-oligomeric pores in the membrane. − They also can play vital roles in viral entry and uncoating, in inducing membrane curvature, and in the scission of the viral bud. , Importantly, blocking the channel activity with drugs or deleting viroporins from the viral genome can attenuate viral growth. ,, …”

Improved Efficiency of Bluetongue Viral Antigen Isolation for Successful Immunization

“…Of all the methods used for viral concentration and partial purification on infected cell lines, the most effective is the precipitation method based on the use of PEG with a molecular weight of 6000 (Titov 1971). An increase in the antigenic activity of BTV viral suspensions after treatment with Freon-113 is probably due to either the removal of the "pseudo-envelopes" surrounding some viral particles or the removal of lipoprotein-type virus inhibitors (Xia et al 2022). In the study (Breard et al 2021), the authors propose detection of BTV serotype 4-specific antibodies using a recombinant protein.…”