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Coronaviruses are divided into three groups, depending on the sequence homology and antigen cross-reactivity. Groups 1 and 2 contain the mammalian coronaviruses, and group 3 consists of the avian coronaviruses. All coronavirus groups encode E protein, a small, 9–12 kDa integral membrane protein. 1 Although, there is little sequence homology between the coronavirus groups, all E proteins share structural homology, they all contain an N-terminus, which consists of a short 7–9 amino acid hydrophilic region, and a 21–29 amino acid hydrophobic transmembrane domain, followed by a hydrophilic C-terminal region. 2 The exact functions and mechanisms of the coronavirus E proteins are yet to be established, although E proteins have been shown to be important for coronavirus replication, mediating viral assembly, and morphogenesis. Coronavirus E proteins share several characteristics with viral ion …