Discovering the Weaknesses of the Corona Virus, British Researchers Are Optimistic that Covid-19 Drug Development Will Succeed

KOMPAS.com – Researchers at the Bristol School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, England, managed to find a “drug pocket” in protein SARS-CoV-2, causative virus Covid-19.

Researchers call the “drug bag” as the weak point of corona virus.

The findings can later be used as weapons, or anti-viral drugs to stop the virus from infecting the human body.

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Research leader Professor Christiane Schaffitzel said SARS-CoV-2 was adorned with multiple copies of the glycoprotein, known as spike, which plays an important role in viral infectivity.

Launch Eurekalert (21/9/2020, spike binds to the surface of human cells, which allows the corona virus to penetrate the cells and begin to replicate and cause widespread damage.

In this study, Christiane and Professor Imre Berger of the Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology used the electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) technique to analyze spike of SARS-CoV-2 at a resolution close to that of an atom.

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With various methods, researchers can see more clearly inside spike to identify its molecular composition.

Unexpectedly, it was found that the corona virus uses a small molecule called linoleic acid (LA) to bind to itself and spread.

LA is a free fatty acid that is indispensable for many cellular functions.

The human body cannot produce LA, but the body absorbs small molecules through food.

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Interestingly, LA plays an important role in inflammation and immune modulation, both of which are key elements of the development of Covid-19 disease.

LA is also needed to maintain cell membranes in the lungs so that we can breathe properly.

On the one hand, Berger admitted that he was confused by the findings.

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This is because the virus that is currently causing chaos on earth is actually holding on to this molecule, which is used to destroy the defenses of the human body.

“Our findings provide a direct link between LA, the pathological manifestations of Covid-19 and the virus itself. The question now is how to turn this new knowledge against the virus and end the pandemic,” Berger said. Mirror.

For scientist previously found a similar pocket in rhinovirus, and was able to stop the virus from spreading.

The Bristol research team itself is optimistic that the strategy they are planning, namely developing anti-viral drugs, to fight Covid-19 can work.

“The finding of a ‘drug bag’ in the SARS-CoV-2 protein could be a way to develop new anti-viral drugs to kill and eliminate viruses before they enter human cells,” he added.

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