Fig. 7: Schematic model of the possible roles of G3BP proteins in the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 virions. | Nature Communications

Fig. 7: Schematic model of the possible roles of G3BP proteins in the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 virions.

From: Proteomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 particles unveils a key role of G3BP proteins in viral assembly

Fig. 7: Schematic model of the possible roles of G3BP proteins in the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 virions.

Upon stress and in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, G3BP proteins can trigger phase separation of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) and induce stress granule (SG) assembly40,55. SG are sites of RNA storage. Upon viral infections, they can also sequester viral factors, control viral translation, stimulate immune signaling or prevent apoptosis;58,59,60,72 Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, N interacts with G3BP1/2 and viral genomic RNA (gRNA), preventing SG formation12,61,62,65,67,70,73. Our result indicate that G3BP1/2 also favor the assembly of new infectious virions possibly by: 1-participating to the viral RNP (vRNP) stabilization and/or reorganization, 2-inducing phase separation and vRNP compaction or 3-favoring the recruitment of the vRNP to the assembly site and its packaging.

Back to article page