SARS-CoV-2 E Proteins
The envelope (E) protein is the smallest structural protein of SARS-CoV-2, a short single-pass membrane protein that accumulates in the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment where virions assemble and bud. It contains a small luminal domain, one transmembrane helix and a cytoplasmic tail, and it can oligomerize to form viroporin-like ion channels that modulate membrane permeability. E drives viral assembly, scission and release, influences pathogenesis and inflammation, and interacts with host trafficking machinery; viruses lacking E are markedly attenuated, making it an important virulence factor. Recombinant E protein and anti-E reagents support coronavirus assembly studies, viroporin assays and diagnostic antibody development.
