More Promising Ebola Replication Research -- Montreal, Rutgers And Texas Collab: Using Ubiquitin As Camouflage

A few months ago, we reported on this same Texas team's discovery that Ebola virus (like HIV) can travel over 200 microns, along nanotubes -- to escape antibody defenses, and reprogram new and otherwise healthy human cells to corrupt purposes.

Now, along with Canadian colleagues, and biologists at Rutgers, the team has sussed out that a naturally produced human protein, called ubiquitin, is being used as "camouflage" -- for the virus to stealthily take over cells, while evading the white cell hoards of the body's defense mechanisms.

Here's the latest, from Phys.org:

. . .By shedding light on how the virus interacts with a human protein called ubiquitin, the researchers have also identified a potential target for new drugs to prevent the disease.

Published in PLOS Biology, the study involves pharmacologists at Université de Montréal, infectious-disease specialists at Rutgers University, and microbiologists, immunologists and pathologists at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston). . . .

"Advanced computational modeling by our team here at UdeM predicted the binding interface between a viral protein, VP35, and the ubiquitin chains in human cells, and identified potential chemical compounds that could disrupt this interaction," he said.

"This discovery not only deepens our understanding of how the virus works, but also offers a promising avenue for the creation of more effective therapies. In particular, it paves the way for the design of drugs capable of disrupting this interaction and slowing down viral replication. . . ."

Now you know. Onward, with a crinkly eyed Irish smile. . . be excellent to all you meet, today and always.

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