Researchers of Liverpool University in the UK revealed the mechanism as viral proteases help SARS-COV-2 infect cells, which can help stop the replication of coronavirus using existing drugs. The new way to combat infection is reported in an article published in the journal Nature Communications.
scientists applied mass spectrometry to study proteolytic splitting during coronavirus infection. The team has discovered previously unknown splitting sites in a variety of virus proteins, including the main antigenic proteins S and N, which are the main targets for testing vaccines and antibodies. The researchers also identified a significant number of cases of cell splitting with the participation of the MPRO principase.
Scientists also showed that blocking of these cell proteins inhibits the replication of SARS-COV-2, and preparations aimed against two of these proteins – the thyrosine kinase SRC and SER / THR-kinase MYLK – showed a dose-dependent reduction in coronavirus titer. Bafeetinib (experimental cancer medicine) and seraphenib (approved preparation used to treat kidney cancer and liver) demonstrated effective inhibition of SARS-COV-2 in concentrations that did not have a toxic effect on human cells.
Previously, scholars of Illinoine University in Urbane-Champane found that patients infected with the original strain of the virus causing COVID-19 produce a steady response of antibodies against the classical version of the coronavirus, but these antibodies are practically useless for new strains.