Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2)

Serine protease which proteolytically cleaves and activates the viral spike glycoproteins which facilitate virus- cell membrane fusions; spike proteins are synthesized and maintained in precursor intermediate folding states and proteolysis allows the refolding and energy release necessary to create stable virus-cell linkages and membrane coalescence. Facilitates individual SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) disease via two independent mechanisms, proteolytic cleavage of ACE2, which might promote viral uptake, and cleavage of coronavirus spike glycoprotein which activates the glycoprotein for cathepsin L- independent host cell entry.

Proteolytically cleaves and activates the spike glycoproteins of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and human coronavirus EMC (HCoV-EMC) and the fusion glycoproteins F0 of Sendai virus (SeV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b viruses (HPIV). Essential for spread and pathogenesis of influenza A virus (strains H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9); involved in proteolytic cleavage and activation of hemagglutinin (HA) protein which is crucial for viral infectivity.