The M protein of PEDV
The M protein encoded by PEDV is an important membrane glycoprotein in the envelope and consists of 226 amino acids. The studies on the M protein have revealed that it has at least several functions. Firstly, it can be utilized as an important antigen of diagnostic reagent. Indirect (ELISA) using the recombinant PEDV M protein as antigen displays high sensitivity and specificity in detecting PEDV antibody (F. JH, YZ, XQ, WY, & JM, 2015). Secondly, during the course of virus infection, the M protein of PEDV is required for the binding with each other or other viral proteins. For instance, the M protein can not only play a key role in the process of virus assembly by binding with the N protein and other membrane proteins through its carboxyl terminal, but also participate in the process of virus envelope assembly together with the E protein. Additionally, the important role of the M protein is also reflected in virus packaging and budding (CA, L, PS, H, & PJ, 1998; V. H, RJ, DA, MC, & WJ, 1991).