Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 membrane protein (M protein)

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 membrane protein (M protein) is the most abundant structural component of the SARS-CoV-2 virion and is essential for viral assembly and morphogenesis (UniProt: P0DTC5). It is a class III transmembrane glycoprotein that organizes the viral envelope by interacting with other structural proteins, specifically the Spike (S), Envelope (E), and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins (PubMed: 33053404). These interactions facilitate the budding of new virions at the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) (PubMed: 33053404). Beyond its structural role, the M protein acts as an immune antagonist by inhibiting the production of type I and III interferons, thereby suppressing the host's innate immune response (PubMed: 32814531). Due to its high degree of conservation across different coronavirus variants, the M protein is a promising target for broad-spectrum antiviral development and vaccine design (PubMed: 34951163). Although no drugs targeting the M protein are currently FDA-approved, research is ongoing into small molecules and peptides that can disrupt its critical protein-protein interactions or membrane-shaping functions (PubMed: 33807057). Experimental studies have identified several phytochemicals, such as silibinin and hesperidin, that may bind to and inhibit the M protein's function (PubMed: 33807057, PubMed: 32738305). Targeting the M protein offers a strategy to complement existing therapies that focus on the Spike protein or viral proteases.

Other names

Membrane glycoproteinMatrix proteinSARS-CoV-2 M proteinVME1_SARS2

Inhibition of viral assembly and budding by disrupting protein-protein interactions or membrane stability.