Human viperin catalyzes the modification of GPP and FPP potentially affecting cholesterol synthesis

International audience; Viperin is a radical SAM enzyme that possesses antiviral properties against a broad range of enveloped viruses. Here we describe the activity of human viperin with two molecules of the mevalonate pathway, geranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate, involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. We postulate that the radical modification of these two molecules by viperin might lead to defects in cholesterol synthesis, thereby affecting the composition of lipid rafts and subsequent enveloped virus budding. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.