Orthopoxvirus VP37 envelope protein (VP37)

The Orthopoxvirus VP37 protein, encoded by the F13L gene in Vaccinia virus, is a highly conserved 37 kDa palmitoylated envelope protein essential for the production of extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) (UniProt: P12929). It plays a critical role in the viral wrapping process, where intracellular mature virus (IMV) particles are enveloped by host-derived membranes from the trans-Golgi network or late endosomes (PubMed: 21106751). This process is mediated by the interaction of VP37 with host cellular proteins, specifically the Rab9 GTPase and TIP47 (Perilipin-3), which are involved in retrograde transport (PubMed: 23408624). By facilitating the formation of wrapped virus (WV), VP37 enables the efficient spread of the virus from cell to cell and throughout the host. The antiviral drug Tecovirimat (ST-246) specifically targets VP37, blocking its interaction with host trafficking machinery and preventing the formation of egress-competent virus particles (PubMed: 15767428). This inhibition effectively halts viral dissemination, making it a potent therapeutic for orthopoxvirus infections such as smallpox and mpox (PubMed: 18450431).

Other names

F13L proteinp37Major envelope proteinVaccinia virus F13L37 kDa major envelope proteinF13

Tecovirimat (ST-246) binds to the VP37 protein and inhibits its interaction with host cellular proteins Rab9 and TIP47, which are required for the wrapping of mature virus particles with host membranes, thereby preventing viral egress and spread (PubMed: 15767428, 23408624).