Structural protein

Structural proteins represent a broad functional category of proteins that provide mechanical support, shape, and movement to cells, tissues, and viruses (Alberts et al., 2002). In humans, these include fibrous proteins like collagen and elastin, which are vital for the structural integrity of the extracellular matrix, and cytoskeletal proteins like actin and tubulin, which are involved in cell motility and division (Lodish et al., 2000). In the context of infectious diseases, viral structural proteins—such as the spike, envelope, and membrane proteins of coronaviruses—are essential for the assembly of the viral particle and its ability to infect host cells (NCBI, 2021). While specific members of this class are major targets for drug development, such as taxanes targeting tubulin or vaccines targeting viral surface proteins, the term 'structural protein' itself is too generic to be considered a single therapeutic target. Consequently, it serves as a classification for a wide array of molecules with distinct roles in health and disease. Drug discovery efforts must specify the individual protein within this class to ensure selectivity and therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

Fibrous proteinCytoskeletal proteinViral structural protein

Not applicable as this is a broad functional class of proteins rather than a specific molecular target.