In the fight against Covid, this news is a great step forward. The team of scientists from UCLouvain succeeded in preventing the virus from clinging to its target cell. How ? By blocking attachment points on the surface of the cell, which are used by a protein of the virus.
Covid: the virus uses a protein to attach itself to the cell
In a study published in Nature Communication, the UCLouvain team explained the mechanisms used by the virus to infect a cell.
Scientists already knew that the SARS-CoV-2 virus used its spike protein to attach to its target cell. This spike protein is able to recognize patterns on the cell surface, such as sugar residues or specific receptors. Once recognized, the spike protein can pair with these motifs. These are the cell’s attachment points.
Block virus attachment to prevent Covid infection
Scientists have studied a particular family of sugars: sialic acids. Why ? According to already existing studies, they could be essential in the infection of the cell.
The team found that one particular sialic acid (SA), 9-AcSA (9-O-acetylated sialic acid), interacted with the spike protein. Better still, in the presence of 9-AcSA and cells, the spike protein would bind to the 9-AcSA. Whereas usually, it binds to the sialic acids of the cells.
Read also: Here’s how SARS-CoV-2 attacks the hair cells in our lungs. A new study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 prevents the process of “cleaning” the lungs.
A therapeutic aim with an antiviral to fight against Covid
Beyond this discovery, scientists aim to develop a real treatment to prevent SARS-Cov-2 infections. For this, they have already developed new molecules of various structures. They are composed of different residues of 9-AcSA. These will soon be given to mice to directly see the effects on organisms.
For therapeutic purposes, the team would like to develop an antiviral administered by aerosol. It can be used in case of infection or contact at risk. Beyond Covid, this discovery is also interesting for fighting other viruses with similar attachment systems.
Read also: Omicron symptoms: how to recognize them? Are cough, fatigue, stuffiness and runny nose the most common symptoms of the Omicron variant?
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