SARS-CoV-2 ORF9b exploits mitochondrial recruitment to TOMM70 for proteasomal protection and tunes inflammatory remodeling during lung infection
Yining Zhao, Lauriane Kergoat, Guilherme Dias de Melo, Florence Larrous, Guillaume Drumont, Juan Diego Hernández‐Camacho, Elodie Vimont, Elodie Le Seac’h, Nell Saunders, Martin Kächele, Étienne Kornobis, Quentin Giai Gianetto, Mariette Matondo, Isabelle Tardieux, Olivier Schwartz, , Timothy Wai
This study shows SARS-CoV-2 ORF9b uses TOMM70 to avoid proteasomal degradation, reduces inflammation, and is not essential for viral replication or lung pathology.
bioRxiv · Aug 3, 2026 · PreprintCell Biology