Role of protein modifications mediated by transglutaminase 2 in human viral diseases

Abstract

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) belongs to a family of calcium-dependant enzymes that catalyze transamidation reaction, producing polymerized, polyaminated or deamidated proteins. Recently, a growing number of viral proteins as well as cellular proteins with which they interact have been found to be modified by TG2, suggesting a novel function for TG2 in viral pathogenesis. This review summarizes the results of relevant research, examines the mechanisms underlying TG2 function in host-virus interactions and proposes a model for viral pathogenesis involving TG2.