Syntaxines

Syntaxines are a family of proteins found in certain viruses, including the herpesvirus and poxvirus families. They are characterized by their ability to induce a complex set of cellular responses, including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and immune response modulation.

The primary function of syntaxines is to facilitate the entry of viral particles into host cells. They achieve this by targeting and manipulating specific cellular pathways involved in membrane trafficking, including the exocytosis and endocytosis processes. By reorganizing cellular structures and processes, syntaxines facilitate the internalization of viral particles and the subsequent release of viral genomes into the host cell.

Several syntaxin-like proteins have been identified and characterized, including Synechocystis-2 and HSV-1 Ul55. These proteins exhibit distinct domain structures and diversity in their activation mechanisms, which contributes to their adaptability in influencing cellular physiology.

Recent studies reveal that syntaxines play an intricate role in orchestrating various signaling pathways, such as those involved in immune response regulation and cell survival mechanisms. Interactions between syntaxines and host cell receptors, including CAMs, receptors for integrin, and other co-receptors of the immune system, potentially suggest that these proteins contribute to modulating immune responses to viral infections.

These dynamic processes demonstrate the multivalent impact syntaxines have on the host-virus interaction, where their function portfolio is extended by potential cues related to intracellular junctions and membrane formation.