SARS can be cured
Rhinoviruses are a family of viruses that cause acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). Due to the large number of serotypes, the formation of persistent immunity to the pathogen is almost impossible. Antiviral therapy is also ineffective, as rhinoviruses quickly adapt to environmental conditions and become resistant to drugs. That is why the treatment of ARVI is reduced only to the weakening of the symptoms of infection, such as a runny nose, sore throat and elevated body temperature.
A group of scientists from Imperial College London has created a molecule that attacks N-myristoyl transferase (NMT), a peptide on the surface of human cells that viruses use to build a capsid and protect their genome. NMT is necessary for all rhinoviruses to reproduce, so the molecule blocking this protein should protect against any of the pathogen strains. In addition, it can be effective in combating their closest "relatives" from the picornavirus family, including viruses that cause polio and enterovirus vesicular stomatitis.
The IMP-1088 (yellow) molecule blocks NMT (blue), preventing rhinoviruses (green) from forming the capsid necessary to protect their RNA.
The emergence of virus resistance to the molecule is unlikely, since it acts indirectly through NMT and does not have a direct effect on the pathogen itself.
The drug based on the synthesized molecule will be especially effective when taken in the early stages of the disease.
The researchers conducted a series of in vitro tests using human cells. They demonstrated that the new remedy blocked several strains of the virus. At the same time, it did not have a toxic effect on human cells. In order to fully verify its safety, a number of studies are needed in a living organism.
Andy Bell and his group initially worked on the creation of a drug against malaria pathogens. They went through a large number of compounds and found two suitable molecules that demonstrated the desired effect. By combining them, they obtained a substance (IMP-1088), which turned out to be more than a hundred times more effective than previously discovered compounds.
Currently, the researchers are planning further trials of the experimental drug, as well as the creation of a dosage form for inhalation – for faster entry into the lungs.
Article by O. Monsnier et al. Fragment-derived inhibitors of human N-myristoyltransferase block capsid assembly and replication of the common cold virus is published in the journal Nature Chemistry.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from Imperial College London: Molecule that acts on human cells might provide hope for irresistible cold cure.