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Viral amyloids: New opportunities for antiviral therapeutic strategies

Frank Gondelaud1, Pierre-Yves Lozach2, Sonia Longhi1

  • 1Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Aix Marseille University and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 163 Avenue de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille, France.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|October 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Pathogenic viruses can form amyloid-like fibrils, challenging previous assumptions. These viral amyloids, often comprising virulence factors, contribute to disease progression and cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Amyloidosis involves protein aggregation into fibrils, traditionally linked to host-cell proteins.
  • Recent discoveries show pathogenic viruses can also form amyloid-like fibrils.
  • These viral amyloids frequently consist of virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review literature on viral proteins forming amyloid-like fibrils.
  • To explore mechanisms of viral amyloid aggregate formation.
  • To discuss functional implications of viral amyloids in pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications.
  • Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms.
  • Discussion of functional and pathological implications.

Main Results:

  • Identification of various viral proteins capable of forming amyloid-like structures.
  • Elucidation of molecular pathways driving viral amyloid formation.
  • Understanding the role of viral amyloids in viral amplification and virulence.

Conclusions:

  • Viral amyloids represent a novel aspect of infectious disease.
  • These structures are linked to viral virulence and pathology.
  • Further research into viral amyloids can reveal new therapeutic targets.
Keywords:
Amyloid-like fibrilsAntiviral strategiesFibrillationFunctional amyloidsInfectious hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseasesLLPSPhase transitionsViruses

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