Direct lipid interactions control SARS-CoV-2 M protein conformational dynamics and virus assembly.
Dutta M; Dolan KA; Amiar S; Bass EJ; Sultana R; Braet SM; Cárdenas-Martínez KJ; Sirohi D; Hicklin IK; Kuhn RJ; Anand GS; Voth GA; Brohawn SG; Stahelin RV
Scientists found that a protein called M in the coronavirus works with special fats to help the virus form and spread. These fats help the M protein change its shape, which is important for the virus to grow and infect cells.