Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Center, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg EL-Arab, Alexandria 21934, Egypt; Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), El Alamein 51718, Egypt.
Industrial Microbiology and Applied Chemistry program, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Nov;279(Pt 2):135201. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135201. Epub 2024 Aug 30.
The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is the most abundant protein in SARS-CoV-2. Viral RNA and this protein are bound by electrostatic forces, forming cytoplasmic helical structures known as nucleocapsids. Subsequently, these nucleocapsids interact with the membrane (M) protein, facilitating virus budding into early secretory compartments.
Exploring the role of the N protein in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, pathogenesis, post-sequelae consequences, and interaction with host immunity has enhanced our understanding of its function and potential strategies for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
This review provides an overview of the N protein's involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, highlighting its crucial role in the virus-host protein interaction and immune system modulation, which in turn influences viral spread.
Understanding these aspects identifies the N protein as a promising target for developing effective antiviral treatments and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
核衣壳蛋白（N 蛋白）是 SARS-CoV-2 中含量最丰富的蛋白。病毒 RNA 和该蛋白通过静电力结合，形成称为核衣壳的细胞质螺旋结构。随后，这些核衣壳与膜（M）蛋白相互作用，促进病毒进入早期分泌隔室出芽。
探索 N 蛋白在 SARS-CoV-2 生命周期、发病机制、后遗症后果以及与宿主免疫相互作用中的作用，增强了我们对其功能和预防 SARS-CoV-2 感染的潜在策略的理解。
本综述概述了 N 蛋白在 SARS-CoV-2 感染性中的作用，强调了其在病毒-宿主蛋白相互作用和免疫系统调节中的关键作用，进而影响病毒的传播。
了解这些方面将 N 蛋白确定为开发针对 SARS-CoV-2 的有效抗病毒治疗方法和疫苗的有前途的靶标。
