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Updated: May 17, 2026
09:05
MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
Membrane-active peptides derived from picornavirus 2B viroporin
Silvia Sánchez-Martínez1, Vanesa Madan, Luis Carrasco
1Unidad de Biofisica (CSICUPV/ EHU), Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao, Spain.
Current Protein & Peptide Science
|November 8, 2012
Summary
Picornavirus 2B protein
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Viruses utilize membrane-restructuring mechanisms for cellular entry, replication, and egress.
- Picornavirus 2B protein, a non-structural viral component, acts as an intracellular pore-forming toxin, disrupting endomembrane permeability.
- The 2B protein contains two hydrophobic regions potentially forming an alpha-helix-turn-alpha-helix hairpin membrane anchor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pore-forming activity of a truncated Picornavirus 2B protein.
- To assess the ability of a minimal 2B peptide to permeabilize and translocate cellular membranes.
- To explore viroporins as a source for bioactive peptides and antiviral targets.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analysis of a peptide derived from the first transmembrane domain of Picornavirus 2B.
- Assessment of the peptide's pore-forming activity on cell plasma membranes.
- Investigation of the peptide's translocation capability and mitochondrial targeting in cultured cells.
Main Results:
- A peptide from the first transmembrane domain of 2B (one-helix 2B) exhibited intrinsic pore-forming activity.
- This miniaturized 2B peptide effectively permeabilized the cell plasma membrane.
- The one-helix 2B peptide demonstrated translocation through the plasma membrane and targeted mitochondria.
Conclusions:
- Viroporin-derived peptides, like the one-helix 2B, possess potent membrane-active properties.
- These viral peptides can permeabilize and translocate cellular membranes, including targeting organelles like mitochondria.
- Viroporins represent a novel source for developing bioactive peptides and potential antiviral therapeutic strategies.
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