Structural basis of coronavirus E protein interactions with human PALS1 PDZ domain

Abstract

Airah Javorsky et al. present the crystal structures of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 E proteins in complex with the PALS1 PDZ domain. Their results suggest that the coronavirus E protein can interfere with normal PALS1 binding, potentially disrupting epithelial tissue integrity, and may provide future insight into the development of small molecule inhibitors against SARS-CoV-1/2.