While the main function of mitochondria is in providing energy for the cell, it also harbors important roles in factors such as cell death (apoptosis) and in the innate antiviral response.

Introduction to the Function of Mitochondria (in regards to Antiviral Response)

The 9b accessory protein in SARS-CoV has peculiar membrane-binding functions and is also seen to play a significant role in the suppression of our innate immune response by targeting the mitochondria. Antibodies against the 9b accessory protein were observed in individuals with SARS-CoV. 

Ohio State University, Columbus

The ORF coding the 9b accessory protein is present in the Nucleocapsid gene and is comprised of 98 amino acids. While the function of the 9b accessory protein in SARS-CoV2 is not exactly known, a relative idea of its function can be obtained by understanding its role in SARS-CoV as the 9b sequence is heavily conserved in other SARS isolates (indicating that it probably has a very similar function). the 9b sequence is heavily conserved in other SARS isolates.

9b Accessory Protein of SARS-CoV2

BARUAH, C., DEVI, P., & SHARMA, D. K.. (2020). Sequence Analysis and Structure Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Accessory Proteins 9b and ORF14: Evolutionary Analysis Indicates Close Relatedness to Bat Coronavirus (Version 1). ChemRxiv. https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv.12424958.v1

Sequence Analysis and Structure Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Accessory
Proteins 9b and ORF14: Evolutionary Analysis Indicates Close
Relatedness to Bat Coronavirus

Shi, C. S., Qi, H. Y., Boularan, C., Huang, N. N., Abu-Asab, M., Shelhamer, J. H., & Kehrl, J. H. (2014). SARS-coronavirus open reading frame-9b suppresses innate immunity by targeting mitochondria and the MAVS/TRAF3/TRAF6 signalosome. The Journal of Immunology, 193(6), 3080-3089.

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