Current Issues in Molecular Biology (May 2024)

Insights into the Activation of Unfolded Protein Response Mechanism during Coronavirus Infection

  • Panagiotis Keramidas,
  • Maria Pitou,
  • Eleni Papachristou,
  • Theodora Choli-Papadopoulou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050261
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 46, no. 5
pp. 4286 – 4308

Abstract

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Coronaviruses represent a significant class of viruses that affect both animals and humans. Their replication cycle is strongly associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which, upon virus invasion, triggers ER stress responses. The activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) within infected cells is performed from three transmembrane receptors, IRE1, PERK, and ATF6, and results in a reduction in protein production, a boost in the ER’s ability to fold proteins properly, and the initiation of ER-associated degradation (ERAD) to remove misfolded or unfolded proteins. However, in cases of prolonged and severe ER stress, the UPR can also instigate apoptotic cell death and inflammation. Herein, we discuss the ER-triggered host responses after coronavirus infection, as well as the pharmaceutical targeting of the UPR as a potential antiviral strategy.

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