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The Molecular Interplay between Human Coronaviruses and Autophagy

Ankit Shroff1, Taras Y Nazarko1

  • 1Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.

Cells
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, hijack cellular autophagy for replication. Understanding these interactions is key to developing effective therapies against COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, cause a spectrum of diseases.
  • Autophagy is a cellular process for degrading waste and pathogens.
  • Coronaviruses often manipulate autophagy for their life cycle.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interactions between human coronaviruses and autophagy.
  • To highlight conserved and divergent mechanisms of viral hijacking.
  • To emphasize the importance of this interplay for therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on coronaviruses and autophagy.
  • Analysis of recent data specific to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Comparison of molecular mechanisms across different coronaviruses.

Main Results:

  • Coronaviruses interact with autophagy proteins and vesicles.
  • Viruses frequently subvert autophagy, for instance, by blocking autophagosome-lysosome fusion.
  • Mechanisms of interaction can differ even for conserved pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the molecular interplay between coronaviruses and autophagy is crucial.
  • Targeting these interactions may lead to novel therapies for coronavirus infections.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate specific mechanisms for therapeutic intervention.
Keywords:
HCoV-NL63HCoV-OC43MERS-CoVSARS-CoVSARS-CoV-2autolysosomeautophagosomeautophagycoronaviruslysosome

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