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| Process of Cap-Snatching |
RNA Effector
At Rutgers University laboratories are trying to conduct new ways in attacking flu viruses. When the body contains an influenza it attacks respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and excessive buildup of mucus. Once the body contains the virus it begins to replicate itself and soon enough like bacteria it develops resistance to antibiotics. Rutgers may have found chemical agents that block the virus’s ability to replicate itself. In order to produce the proper treatment while timely production is going on, flu viruses need to be treatmented with drugs. There is only one effective drug that treats influenza called Tamiflu, but some flu strains have developed resistance to it. Eddy Arnold and his collaborators have been working to create new drugs besides Tamilflu. Their approach targets different parts of the virus such as synthesizing chemical compounds that bind to metal ions in a viral enzyme. This activation puts a halt in the replication process. With the proper technology, Rutgers can reveal the structure of the enzyme in fine detail. Eddy Arnold has noted that these viruses are stealing material from human cells to disguise the flu virus. The whole process is called “cap-snatching.” When the replication process is put a stop, the enzyme isn’t able to disguise itself. They are trying to pursue the same concepts as in the anti-AIDS drug so that the enzyme integrase is highly successful.
(Article) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131004090821.htm
http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/1898788/report-molecules-that-show-promise-for-new-anti-flu-drugs-discovered
They say that they want to target different parts of the virus, like the synthesizing chemical compounds. What metal ions do they bind to then? Is it all metals or select metals that we can regulate in our body? This article was very informative to about the virus.
ReplyDeleteSince there is only one drug that is provided to help resist the flu, Tamiflu, I think it's amazing to see researchers developing other alternatives to help fight against this virus. Our bodies build an immune to things over a period of time and since our bodies are starting to regent this drug, it's best we create other options for people who are dealing with this influenza. Once a virus replicates itself, our body starts to shut down. If we can eliminate this process, then people wouldn't have to suffer from the effects of the influenza. With that said, I am excited to see what this new discovery can offer for influenza's!
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting. By stopping the virus from replicating you are containing the virus. This could help researchers find other types of anti replicating agents to help control other viruses. This will also help with the use of antibiotics. People do not know how to take antibiotics and this causes mutation in viruses, which causes more effort to be put into new medications and ways to control or stop the viruses. Hopefully, they can take this to the next level and stop more dangerous viruses from replicating.
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