SARS-CoV-2 Virion Stabilization by Zn Binding

Zinc plays a crucial role in the process of virion maturation inside the host cell. The accessory Cys-rich proteins expressed in SARS-CoV-2 by genes ORF7a and ORF8 are likely involved in zinc binding and in interactions with cellular antigens activated by extensive disulfide bonds. Starting from a proof-of-concept [1], we are now using computational models and X-ray absorption spectroscopy for a structural study of orf7a and orf8 proteins in contact with the BST2 tetherin protein. A conceivable hypothesis is that lack of cellular zinc, or substitution thereof, might lead to a significant slowing down of viral maturation.