| Primary Identifier | IPR002574 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | M_CoV |
| description | This family consists of various coronavirus matrix proteins which are transmembrane glycoproteins []. The membrane (M) protein is the most abundant structural protein and defines the shape of the viral envelope. It is also regarded as the central organiser of coronavirus assembly, interacting with all other major coronaviral structural proteins. M proteins play a critical role in protein-protein interactions (as well as protein-RNA interactions) since virus-like particle (VLP) formation in many CoVs requires only the M and envelope (E) proteins for efficient virion assembly []. Interaction of spike (S) with M is necessary for retention of S in the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC)/Golgi complex and its incorporation into new virions, but dispensable for the assembly process. Binding of M to nucleocapsid (N) proteins stabilises the nucleocapsid (N protein-RNA complex), as well as the internal core of virions, and, ultimately, promotes completion of viral assembly. Together, M and E protein make up the viral envelope and their interaction is sufficient for the production and release of virus-like particles (VLPs) [, ]. |
