Viral amyloids: New opportunities for antiviral therapeutic strategies

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2023 Dec:83:102706. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102706. Epub 2023 Sep 30.

Abstract

Amyloidoses are an array of diseases associated with the aggregation of proteins into fibrils. While it was previously thought that amyloid fibril-forming proteins are exclusively host-cell encoded, recent studies have revealed that pathogenic viruses can form amyloid-like fibrils too. Intriguingly, viral amyloids are often composed of virulence factors, known for their contribution to cell death and disease progression. In this review, we survey the literature about viral proteins capable of forming amyloid-like fibrils. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of viral amyloid-like aggregates are explored. In addition, we discuss the functional implications for viral amplification and the complex interplay between viral amyloids, biological functions, virulence, and virus-induced pathologies.

Keywords: Amyloid-like fibrils; Antiviral strategies; Fibrillation; Functional amyloids; Infectious hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseases; LLPS; Phase transitions; Viruses.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid* / metabolism
  • Amyloidogenic Proteins* / metabolism
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Virulence Factors

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Amyloidogenic Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • Antiviral Agents