Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating Viral Disruption of Intestinal Epithelial Signaling – Research Insights and Future Directions
Published on: January 19, 2024
Host Calcium Channels and Pumps in Viral Infections
Xingjuan Chen1,2, Ruiyuan Cao2, Wu Zhong2
1Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
Abstract:
Ca2+ is essential for virus entry, viral gene replication, virion maturation, and release. The alteration of host cells Ca2+ homeostasis is one of the strategies that viruses use to modulate host cells signal transduction mechanisms in their favor. Host calcium-permeable channels and pumps (including voltage-gated calcium channels, store-operated channels, receptor-operated channels, transient receptor potential ion channels, and Ca2+-ATPase) mediate Ca2+ across the plasma membrane or subcellular organelles, modulating intracellular free Ca2+. Therefore, these Ca2+ channels or pumps present important aspects of viral pathogenesis and virus-host interaction. It has been reported that viruses hijack host calcium channels or pumps, disturbing the cellular homeostatic balance of Ca2+. Such a disturbance benefits virus lifecycles while inducing host cells' morbidity. Evidence has emerged that pharmacologically targeting the calcium channel or calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can obstruct virus lifecycles. Impeding virus-induced abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is becoming a useful strategy in the development of potent antiviral drugs. In this present review, the recent identified cellular calcium channels and pumps as targets for virus attack are emphasized.
Insights
Viruses exploit host cell calcium (Ca2+) channels to disrupt calcium homeostasis, aiding their replication. Targeting these channels offers a promising strategy for developing new antiviral therapies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) are critical for multiple stages of the viral lifecycle, including entry, replication, maturation, and release.
- Viruses manipulate host cell calcium homeostasis as a strategy to favor their own replication and survival.
- Host cell calcium channels and pumps regulate intracellular free Ca2+ levels, influencing cellular signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the identified cellular calcium channels and pumps that serve as targets for viral attack.
- To highlight the role of calcium dysregulation in viral pathogenesis and virus-host interactions.
- To emphasize the potential of targeting calcium homeostasis for antiviral drug development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on virus-host interactions and calcium signaling.
- Analysis of viral strategies involving the hijacking of host calcium transport mechanisms.
- Examination of evidence for pharmacological targeting of calcium channels and endoplasmic reticulum calcium release.
Main Results:
- Viruses hijack various host calcium channels and pumps (e.g., VGCCs, SOCs, ROCs, TRPs, Ca2+-ATPases) to disrupt cellular Ca2+ balance.
- This disruption benefits viral lifecycle progression while contributing to host cell pathology.
- Pharmacological inhibition of calcium channels or release from the ER can impede viral replication.
Conclusions:
- Altered intracellular calcium homeostasis is a key feature of viral infections.
- Targeting host calcium channels and pumps presents a viable strategy for developing novel antiviral therapeutics.
- Understanding virus-induced calcium dysregulation is crucial for advancing antiviral drug discovery.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
01:16Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several...
01:18Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...