Abstract
Ion channels are membrane proteins that are found in a number of viruses and which are of crucial physiological importance in the viral life cycle. They have one common feature in that their action mode involves a change of electrochemical or proton gradient across the bilayer lipid membrane which modulates viral or cellular activity. We will discuss a group of viral channel proteins that belong to the viroproin family, and which participate in a number of viral functions including promoting the release of viral particles from cells. Blocking these channel-forming proteins may be "lethal", which can be a suitable and potential therapeutic strategy. In this review we discuss seven ion channels of viruses which can lead serious infections in human beings: M2 of influenza A, NB and BM2 of influenza B, CM2 of influenza C, Vpu of HIV-1, p7 of HCV and 2B of picornaviruses.
MeSH terms
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / physiology
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Humans
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Ion Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Ion Channels / physiology
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Viral Matrix Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Viral Matrix Proteins / physiology
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins / physiology
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Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Viral Proteins / physiology
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Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
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Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / physiology
Substances
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2B protein, poliovirus
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Antiviral Agents
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BM2 polypeptide, influenza B virus
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CM2 protein, Influenza C virus
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins
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Ion Channels
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M2 protein, Influenza A virus
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NB glycoprotein, Influenza B virus
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Viral Matrix Proteins
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins
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Viral Proteins
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Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
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p7 protein, Hepatitis C virus
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vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1