Matrix protein (3-15) is a peptide of the structure proteins linking the viral envelope with theZaireebolavirus core.
Ebola virus (EBOV) is a member of the family Filoviridae in the order Mononegavirales. It is the causative agent of severe hemorrhagic fevers in human and non-human primates with high case fatality rates.
A role for matrix proteins in the regulation of viral genome replication and transcription has been shown for a number of negative strand RNA viruses. The recent study has shown that both matrix proteins of EBOV, VP40 and VP24, are able to inhibit both viral genome replication and transcription.
References:
1. Hoenen T, Jung S, Herwig A, Groseth A, Becker S (2010) Both matrix proteins of Ebola virus contribute to the regulation of viral genome replication and transcription. Virology 403: 56–66.
2. Dessen A, Viktor V, Dolnik O, Klenk H, Weissenhorn W. Crystal structure of the matrix protein VP 40 from Ebola virus. The EMBO Journal (2010) 19, 4228-4236.