Metal Ions Complex and Viral Pathogenicity

Abstract

Metal ions form the integral part of some viral proteins and as play an important role in their survival and pathogenesis of the virus. Prominent metal ions that bind with virus proteins include magnesium, zinc and copper. Metal ions participate in maturation of genomic RNA in viruses, activation and catalytic mechanisms, reverse transcription, initial integration process and protection of newly synthesized DNA, inhibition of proton translocation (M2 protein), minus- and plus-strand transfer, enhance nucleic acid annealing, activation of transcription, integration of viral DNA into specific sites and act as a chaperone of nucleic acid. The structural proteins of viruses protect the viral genome, participate in attachment of virus to a susceptible cell, facilitate transfer of viral nucleic acid from one host cell to another and are antigenic determinants of the virus. The involvement of metal ions in the structure of common protein metal finger gives the metal a particular position in the reaction. The cellular system control metal ions balancing in constituting a natural protective barrier that limits the accessibility of metal ions and thus interferes with viral replication.