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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.05.27.118752

SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein topology in eukaryotic membranes

Duart, G.·Garcia-Murria, M. J.·Grau, B.·Acosta-Caceres, J. M.·Martinez-Gil, L.·Mingarro, I.
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Abstract

Coronavirus E protein is a small membrane protein found in the virus envelope. Different coronavirus E proteins share striking biochemical and functional similarities, but sequence conservation is limited. In this report, we studied the E protein topology from the new SARS-CoV-2 virus both in microsomal membranes and in mammalian cells. Experimental data reveal that E protein is a single-spanning membrane protein with the N-terminus being translocated across the membrane, while the C-terminus is exposed to the cytoplasmic side (Ntlum/Ctcyt). The defined membrane protein topology of SARS-CoV-2 E protein may provide a useful framework to understand its interaction with other viral and host components and establish the basis to tackle the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.

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Duart, G., Garcia-Murria, M. J., Grau, B., Acosta-Caceres, J. M., Martinez-Gil, L., Mingarro, I.. 2020-05-27. SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein topology in eukaryotic membranes. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.27.118752

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