Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified parts of human proteins that the novel coronavirus could use to suppress host cell processes, a progression that could follow to the development of new drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.
The researchers, including Manjeet Kumar from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany, analyzed the sequence of amino acid molecules that make up the human proteins involved in coronavirus disease, such as a class of proteins called integrins.
Previous research had found that the COVID-19-induced SARS-CoV-2 virus enters cells through a process called endocytosis when it binds to the ACE2 cell surface receptor and other potential proteins as integrins. In the current study, published in the journal Science Signaling, the scientists focused specifically on short sequences of amino acids called short-series motifs (SLiMs), which are involved in information transmission between inside and outside cells.
They found that SLiMs are present in several integrins that are likely to be involved in cellular processes of uptake and disposal of substances known as endocytosis and autophagy.
” If SARS-CoV-2 targets proteins involved in endocytosis and autophagy, it means that these processes could be overrun by the virus at the time of infection, ” he said. Balint Meszaros, co-author of the study from EMBL.
The researchers believe the findings could lead to new therapeutic modalities for COVID-19. ” SLiMs’ could be turned on to turn viral entry signals on or off. This means that if we can find a way to reverse these switches by using drugs, this could stop the coronavirus from entering cells, ” explained the senior author Lucia Chemes.
” Together, these findings have linked a possible link between autophagy and integrin symptoms and could lead to new ways to prevent viral infection, ” the experts in the study wrote. .
Based on the results, the researchers compiled a list of existing drugs that prevent endocytosis and autophagy.
” If clinical trials prove that some of these drugs work against COVID-19, this could be a game-changer, ” Kumar said.
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and is automatically extracted from syndicated feedings.)