Biology:SARS coronavirus X4 like protein domain

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SARS coronavirus X4 like protein domain
PDB 1xak EBI.jpg
Structure of the SARS-coronavirus orf7a accessory protein
Identifiers
SymbolSARS_X4
PfamPF08779
InterProIPR014888

In molecular biology, SARS coronavirus X4 like protein domain is commonly shortened to SARS-X4. This protein domain is only found in viruses, specifically coronaviruses. X4 is the protein domain which is a unique type I transmembrane protein. It is named after the virus it was first discovered in, SARS-CoV, the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome.[1]

Function

The precise activity of SARS X4 like protein remains to be elucidated however it has been suggested that it has binding activity to integrin I domains.[2] Additionally it is thought to induce apoptosis via a caspase dependent pathway in different types of tissue; or in simpler terms, inducing cell death through an enzymatic pathway.[3] Also, it contains a motif which has been demonstrated to mediate COPII dependent transport out of the endoplasmic reticulum, and the protein is targeted to the Golgi apparatus. It remains unknown as to why the protein may be involved with cell trafficking.[4]

Structure

The structure of the coronavirus X4 protein (also known as ORF7a and U122) shows similarities to the immunoglobulin like fold despite the fact they do not share sequence similarity.[2] Their structure contains seven beta strands which form two beta sheets, compactly arranged in an immunoglobulin-like beta sandwich fold.[1]

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Pfam and InterPro: IPR014888