Mechanism of Function of Viral Channel Proteins and Implications for Drug Development

Wolfgang B. Fischer*, Yi Ting Wang, Christina Schindler, Chin Pei Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Viral channel-forming proteins comprise a class of viral proteins which, similar to their host companions, are made to alter electrochemical or substrate gradients across lipid membranes. These proteins are active during all stages of the cellular life cycle of viruses. An increasing number of proteins are identified as channel proteins, but the precise role in the viral life cycle is yet unknown for the majority of them. This review presents an overview about these proteins with an emphasis on those with available structural information.A concept is introduced which aligns the transmembrane domains of viral channel proteins with those of host channels and toxins to give insights into the mechanism of function of the viral proteins from potential sequence identities. A summary of to date investigations on drugs targeting these proteins is given and discussed in respect of their mode of action in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages259-321
Number of pages63
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Publication series

NameInternational Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
Volume294
ISSN (Print)1937-6448

Keywords

  • Antiviral drugs
  • Ion channels
  • Membrane protein structure
  • Toxins
  • Viral channel proteins
  • Viruses

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