Researchers identify new drug target for Ebola viruses, Marburg

Ebola and Marburg are among the deadliest viruses, with mortality rates from these diseases ranging from 25% to 90%. Although drugs are not currently available on the market to prevent infection from these viruses – they belong to a type of virus called filoviruses, which is known to cause hemorrhagic fever – researchers have identify a few drug molecules that may prevent filoviruses from suffering. cell by taking up one site of glycoprotein in the virus.

Now, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have identified a second site on the filovirus glycoprotein to which small molecules can bind drugs and prevent infection. The researchers say that small molecules of drugs that block both glycoprotein sites may be more effective and reduce the risk of side effects.

These findings are reported in the journal Pathogens PLOS.

We need to identify how these filoviruses enter cells as a way to help us identify or develop disease-preventing drugs. Even though Ebola and Marburg are not often in the news, getting drugs in our arsenal in case of flames. These viruses are always circulating, so gaining a better understanding of how they work will allow us to develop next-generation virus protectors. “

Lijun Rong, UIC Professor of Microbiology and Psychology, College of Medicine and Corresponding Author

Rong’s group and his colleagues, led by Rui Xiong, UIC’s research research professor in pharmaceutical sciences at the College of Pharmacy, identified the second glycoprotein-binding site by repairing the virus by hundreds of various small drug molecules that are thought to potentially affect viral entry. into cells. Several of the drugs were able to prevent viral entry.

Through a series of experiments using molecular, biochemical and structural experimental methods, they were able to take a closer look at how these drugs interacted with the virus. They found that the drugs were linked to an previously unknown site on the viral surface glycoprotein required for cell infection.

“The good news is that there are already FDA – approved drugs that can link to the new site we named,” Rong said. “If we can prescribe drugs that link to the newly named site and the previously identified site, it can help prevent viral infection with lower doses of each drug. By blocking the two sites on the viral glycoprotein surface, it also reduces the chances of the glycoprotein transfer to the point that it escapes the effects of the drug combination and is it can capture cells once again. “