Symbol SARS_X4 InterPro IPR014888 PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj | Pfam PF08779 Pfam structures PDBsum structure summary | |
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In molecular biology, SARS coronavirus X4 like protein domain is commonly shortened to SARS-X4. This protein domain is only found in viruses. It causes SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans which causes high rates of mortality. It is produced by a type of virus named the coronavirus (SARS-CoV). X4 is the protein domain which is a unique type I transmembrane protein.
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Function
The precise protein of SARS X4 like protein remains to be elucidated however it has been suggested that it has binding activity to integrin I domains. 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. 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.
Structure
The structure of the coronavirus X4 protein (also known as 7a and U122) shows similarities to the immunoglobulin like fold despite the fact they do not share sequence similarity. Their structure contains seven beta strands which form two beta sheets, compactly arranged in an immunoglobulin-like beta sandwich fold.