Advances in Viral Protein Structure and Function
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2024 | Viewed by 63
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue is supervised by Dr. Katja Spiess with the assistance of our Topical Advisory Panel Member Prof. Dr. Valentina Kubale (University of Ljubljana).
Viral proteins are essential components of the virus life cycle, playing key roles in various stages, such as virus attachment, entry, replication, and assembly. The unique architecture of viral proteins enables specific structures that facilitate their functions. Structural proteins contribute to the formation of the viral capsid or envelope, while non-structural proteins are involved in processes such as replication and the modulation of host cell machinery.
Recent advancements in our understanding of viral proteins go beyond the knowledge of protein folding leading to functional conformations. There is a growing recognition of the importance of post-translational modifications.
Viral proteins play a pivotal role in evading the host immune defense by interfering with the detection and destruction of virus-infected cells. Immune evasion proteins can reduce antigen presentation at the cell surface by interfering with the MHC class I signaling pathway, leading to less CD8+ T-cell recognition. An example of this is the Nef protein encoded by HIV-1. Larger DNA viruses, such as Epstein–Barr virus, encode a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that reduces MHC class I cell surface expression. Characterizing the viral proteins involved in immune evasion in general, including virus-encoded receptors, will be crucial for the development of anti-viral treatments with new modes of action. Moreover, understanding viral proteins' structural and functional aspects is not only a major factor for the development of novel anti-viral treatments but is also central to vaccine development. This has been demonstrated by recent advancements in a structure-based vaccine concept for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Dr. Katja Spiess
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- viral life cycle
- virus attachment and entry
- virus replication/host cell machinery
- the assembly and release of viruses
- host/virus interactions
- viral protein structure and conformation
- viral protein function
- immune evasion
- drug targets
- vaccine development
