The review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the coronavirus envelope (E) protein, highlighting recent advancements and comparing them to previous findings. Coronaviruses, primarily infecting birds and mammals, have recently emerged as human pathogens, causing severe respiratory illnesses such as SARS and MERS. The E protein, a small integral membrane protein, plays a crucial role in the virus's life cycle, including assembly, budding, and pathogenesis. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of its structural motifs, topology, and functions as an ion-channelling viroporin. The review discusses the E protein's structure, localization, topology, post-translational modifications, and interactions with other viral and host proteins. Key findings include the importance of the transmembrane domain (TMD) for ion channel formation, the role of palmitoylation and ubiquitination in viral assembly, and the interaction between E and host proteins like Bcl-xL and PALS1. The review also emphasizes the need for further research to understand the E protein's full potential in vaccine development and antiviral therapy.The review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the coronavirus envelope (E) protein, highlighting recent advancements and comparing them to previous findings. Coronaviruses, primarily infecting birds and mammals, have recently emerged as human pathogens, causing severe respiratory illnesses such as SARS and MERS. The E protein, a small integral membrane protein, plays a crucial role in the virus's life cycle, including assembly, budding, and pathogenesis. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of its structural motifs, topology, and functions as an ion-channelling viroporin. The review discusses the E protein's structure, localization, topology, post-translational modifications, and interactions with other viral and host proteins. Key findings include the importance of the transmembrane domain (TMD) for ion channel formation, the role of palmitoylation and ubiquitination in viral assembly, and the interaction between E and host proteins like Bcl-xL and PALS1. The review also emphasizes the need for further research to understand the E protein's full potential in vaccine development and antiviral therapy.