AUTHOR=Xia Xiaoyan , Cheng Anchun , Wang Mingshu , Ou Xumin , Sun Di , Mao Sai , Huang Juan , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Chen Shun , Zhang Shaqiu , Zhu Dekang , Jia Renyong , Liu Mafeng , Zhao Xin-Xin , Gao Qun , Tian Bin TITLE=Functions of Viroporins in the Viral Life Cycle and Their Regulation of Host Cell Responses JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.890549 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.890549 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Viroporins are virally encoded transmembrane proteins that are essential for viral pathogenicity and can participate in various stages of the viral life cycle, thereby promoting viral proliferation. Viroporins have multifaceted effects on host cell biological functions, including altering cell membrane permeability, triggering inflammasome formation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and evading immune responses, thereby ensuring that the virus completes its life cycle. Viroporins are also virulence factors, and their complete or partial deletion often reduces virion release and reduces viral pathogenicity, highlighting the important role of these proteins in the viral life cycle. Thus, viroporins represent a common drug-protein target for inhibiting drugs and the development of antiviral therapies. This article reviews current studies on the functions of viroporins in the viral life cycle and their regulation of host cell responses, with the aim of improving the understanding of this growing family of viral proteins.