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The SARS-Coronavirus Membrane protein induces apoptosis through modulating the Akt survival pathway

Chak-Ming Chan1, Cheuk-Wing Ma, Wood-Yee Chan

  • 1Laboratory of Drosophila Research, Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|February 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The SARS-CoV M protein triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) by disrupting the Akt survival pathway. This discovery offers insights into viral pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Viral proteins can induce apoptosis, impacting cellular signaling pathways like the Akt kinase pathway.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending viral pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pro-apoptotic role of the SARS-CoV Membrane (M) protein.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying M protein-induced apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of apoptosis in HEK293T cells and transgenic Drosophila models.
  • Assessment of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activity.
  • Forward genetic modifier screens in Drosophila to identify interacting genes.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV M protein induced apoptosis in both cell and organismal models.
  • Apoptosis involved mitochondrial cytochrome c release and was sensitive to caspase inhibitors.
  • Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) was identified as a suppressor of M-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • The SARS-CoV M protein induces apoptosis by modulating the cellular Akt pro-survival pathway.
  • Mitochondrial cytochrome c release is a key event in M protein-mediated cell death.
  • Targeting the Akt pathway may offer therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV infection.

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