(EN) Compositions related to expressed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus group-specific polypeptides are provided. Further provided are methods and compositions related to the use of these polypeptides, in particular use for inducing apoptosis in cells, diagnosing SARS infection and screening for modulator and inhibitor compounds of such polypeptides and in turn the virus itself, and in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disease caused by SARS infection.