Scientists have found that an enzyme could help prevent Ebola virus from spreading, while raising hope for an effective drug to treat people with Ebola.
A Tiny Protein Speeds Up The Spread of Ebola Virus
Delta peptides, which are tiny proteins make the deadly Ebola virus contagious and scientists are working towards a treatment by targeting the protein.
Delta peptides, which are tiny proteins make the deadly Ebola virus contagious and scientists are working towards a treatment by targeting the protein.
‘Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. The PP2A-B56 enzyme takes away Ebola virus' ability to copy itself.’
'When the Ebola virus enters the human cell, its only purpose is to copy itself, fast. First it must copy all its proteins, then its genetic material," said Jakob Nilsson, Professor at University of Copenhagen in Denmark. "But by inhibiting a specific enzyme we rob the Ebola virus of its ability to copy itself. And that may potentially prevent an Ebola infection from spreading," Nilsson said.
However, the researchers behind the new study found what is called a new host factor for Ebola virus.
The Deadly Ebola Virus Can Persist in Semen For Two Years After Infection
Ebola virus is a rare and deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body. Ebola detected in semen of survivors two years after infection
Ebola virus is a rare and deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body. Ebola detected in semen of survivors two years after infection
The virus uses the host factor enzyme PP2A-B56 to start producing proteins.
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New Scoring System Predicts Ebola virus disease Severity
Malaria co-infection, extremes in age and delayed healthcare seeking behavior were all associated with mortality.
Malaria co-infection, extremes in age and delayed healthcare seeking behavior were all associated with mortality.
"When we inhibit the PP2A-B56 enzyme, we remove the first link in a long process, which ends with Ebola spreading. And we can tell that it works," Nilsson said.
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Insights into the Early Impact of Ebola Virus on Immune System
A new mouse model of early Ebola virus (EBOV) infection has shown how early responses of the immune system can affect development of EBOV disease.
A new mouse model of early Ebola virus (EBOV) infection has shown how early responses of the immune system can affect development of EBOV disease.
But because the researchers have so far focused on cell cultures, there is still work to be done before their results can be used to treat people infected with Ebola.
Initially the researchers hope to be able to test it on animals and, in the long term, develop a drug that inhibits the relevant enzyme.
Source-IANS
