Study explores how a human protein interacts with a SARS-CoV-2 protein, as well as one of the ways the virus that causes COVID-19 recruits cells to replicate
An article published in the journal 'Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology' describes a study conducted by researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the University of So Paulo (USP) in Brazil that demonstrates how a human protein interacts with a SARS-CoV-2 protein, as well as one of the ways the virus that causes COVID-19 recruits cells to replicate.In laboratory tests, the researchers used a drug to inhibit the interaction between the molecules, reducing viral replication by 15% to 20%. They anticipate that their findings will aid in the development of COVID-19 treatments."PCNA [proliferating cell nuclear antigen], a human protein, interacts with SARS-CoV-2 protein M [matrix], one of the molecules that make up the virus's membrane and give it shape.""The discovery itself demonstrates one of the ways the pathogen manipulates cell function for its life cycle to proceed," said Fernando Moreira Simabuco, a professor at UNICAMP's School of Applied Sciences (FCA) in Limeira and the study's…
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