Subcellular localization of SARS-CoV-2 E and 3a proteins along the secretory pathway

SARS-CoV-2 E and 3a proteins are important for the assembly, budding, and release of viral particles. These two transmembrane proteins have been implicated in forming channels in the membrane that allow the transport of ions to favor viral replication. During an active infection, both proteins generally localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC), and the Golgi where viral assembly occurs. The ER and Golgi are critical for the proper packaging and trafficking of cellular proteins along the secretory pathways which determine a protein's final destination inside or outside of the cell. The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily infects epithelial cells that are highly secretory in nature such as those in the lung and gut. Here we quantified the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 E and 3a proteins along the secretory pathways in a human intestinal epithelial cell line. We used NaturePatternMatch to demonstrate that epitope-tagged E and 3a proteins expressed alone via transient transfection have a similar immunoreactivity pattern as E and 3a proteins expressed by wild-type viral infection. While E and 3a proteins localized with all selected cellular markers to varying degrees, 3a protein displayed a higher correlation coefficient with the Golgi, early/late endosome, lysosome, and plasma membrane when compared to E protein. This work is the first to provide quantification of the subcellular distribution of E and 3a proteins along the multiple components of the secretory pathway and serves as a basis to develop models for examining how E and 3a alter proteostasis within these structures and affect their function.