Viruses 2012, 4(3), 363-382; https://doi.org/10.3390/v4030363
The Coronavirus E Protein: Assembly and Beyond
Department of Cell Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Received: 24 December 2011 / Revised: 18 February 2012 / Accepted: 27 February 2012 / Published: 8 March 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Arteriviruses and Coronaviruses)
Abstract
The coronavirus E protein is a small membrane protein that has an important role in the assembly of virions. Recent studies have indicated that the E protein has functions during infection beyond assembly, including in virus egress and in the host stress response. Additionally, the E protein has ion channel activity, interacts with host proteins, and may have multiple membrane topologies. The goal of this review is to highlight the properties and functions of the E protein, and speculate on how they may be related. View Full-TextKeywords:
envelope protein; coronavirus assembly; ion channel; Golgi complex; membrane protein topology
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Ruch, T.R.; Machamer, C.E. The Coronavirus E Protein: Assembly and Beyond. Viruses 2012, 4, 363-382.