Unravel the mystery that makes viruses contagious

Researchers have for the first time identified how viruses such as the poliovirus and the cold virus ‘package’ their genetic code so that they can infect cells.

The findings, published today in the journal PLOS Pathogen by a team from the Universities of Leeds and York, opens the possibility that drugs or antiviral drugs could be developed that could stop such infections.

Once a cell is infected, a virus must spread its genetic material to other cells. It is a complex process that involves the creation of virions newly formed infectious copies of the virus. Each virion is a protein shell that contains a complete copy of the virus’ genetic code. The virions can then infect other cells and cause disease.

What has been a mystery so far is a detailed understanding of how the virus composes these daughter virions.

Professor Peter Stockley, former director of the Astbury Center for Structural Molecular Biology in Leeds, who co-led the research with Professor Reidun Twarock of York, said: ‘This study is extremely important because of the way we think about how we can control, change some viral diseases. If we can disrupt the mechanism of virion formation, there is the potential to stop an infection in its tracks. ‘

“Our analysis suggests that the molecular characteristics that control the process of virion formation are genetically preserved, meaning that it does not mutate easily, which reduces the risk that the virus may change and render any new drug ineffective.”

The research of Leeds and York brings together experts in the molecular structure of viruses, electron microscopy and mathematical biology.

The study focuses on a harmless bovine virus that is not contagious to humans, Enterovirus-E, which is the commonly designated surrogate for the poliovirus. The poliovirus is a dangerous virus that infects humans, causing polio and is the target of a virus eradication initiative by the World Health Organization.

The enterovirus group also contains the human rhinovirus, which causes colds.

The study published today describes the role of the so-called RNA packaging signals, short regions of the RNA molecule that together with proteins from the envelope of the virus ensure accurate and efficient formation of an infectious virus.

Using a combination of molecular and mathematical biology, the researchers were able to identify possible sites on the RNA molecule that could serve as packaging signals. Using advanced electron microscopes at the Astbury Biostructure Laboratory at the University of Leeds, scientists were able to visualize this process directly – the first time it was possible with any type of virus.

Professor Twarock added: “Understanding in detail how this process works, and the fact that it appears to be preserved in an entire family of viral pathogens, will enable the pharmaceutical industry to develop antiviral drugs that interact with these key interactions. can block and prevent diseases. ”