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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
