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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
Summary
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.
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