We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Ebolavirus Nucleoprotein Suggested as Possible Drug Target

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Apr 2015
Print article
Image: A protein — shown in red, white, and blue — typically coats the genome of the Ebolavirus, providing protection from enzymes that can destroy the virus’s genetic material. This protein coat is removed to allow the virus to replicate its genome in infected cells. Interfering with the removal and the return of the protein coat to the viral genome can kill the Ebola virus, a discovery that opens the door to more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of Washington University School of Medicine).
Image: A protein — shown in red, white, and blue — typically coats the genome of the Ebolavirus, providing protection from enzymes that can destroy the virus’s genetic material. This protein coat is removed to allow the virus to replicate its genome in infected cells. Interfering with the removal and the return of the protein coat to the viral genome can kill the Ebola virus, a discovery that opens the door to more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of Washington University School of Medicine).
A team of molecular virologists has isolated and characterized a peptide from Ebolavirus (EBOV) that is critical to the pathogen's ability to reproduce inside infected cells.

Ebola is an RNA virus whose nucleic acid package is covered with a protective nucleoprotein (NP) coat. NP alternates between an RNA-template-bound form and a template-free form to provide the viral polymerase access to the RNA template. In addition, newly synthesized NP must be prevented from indiscriminately binding to nonviral RNAs.

Investigators at the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO, USA) have explained the molecular bases for these critical processes in a paper published in the April 9, 2015, online edition of the journal Cell Reports. They reported the identification of an intrinsically disordered peptide derived from EBOV VP35 nucleoprotein (NPBP, residues 20–48) that bound to NP with high affinity and specificity, inhibited NP oligomerization, and released RNA from NP-RNA complexes in vitro.

X-ray crystallography analysis at a resolution of 3.7 Angstroms revealed that NPBP peptide occluded a large surface area that was important for NP-NP and NP-RNA interactions and for viral RNA synthesis. This peptide represented a highly conserved viral interface that was important for EBOV replication and could be targeted for therapeutic development.

“One of the major challenges was that the part of VP35 involved in this interaction is an intrinsically disordered peptide,” said first author Dr. Daisy Leung, assistant professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University Medical School. “This means that it may not take on a definite structure until it binds to another protein. That made structural studies of VP35 difficult because the structure, which plays a critical role in determining function, does not form without its specific binding partner.”

Related Links:

Washington University School of Medicine


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.