Mol Cell: Reveal the molecular mechanism by which viruses intercept specific cellular processes to block the host's immune response

February 22, 2021 // - Recently, in a research report published in the international journal Molecular Cell , scientists from McGill University and other institutions have discovered through research that viruses may intercept molecules that already exist in cells.

In this study, scientists analyzed the process by which healthy cells in the body control the level of Interferon beta.

Image source: Molecular Cell (2021).

In addition, the researchers also found that the virus can use a special molecular process to block the synthesis of interferon beta, thereby blocking the normal function of the body's immune system.

In the article, the researchers also revealed the molecular mechanism by which an mRNA translation inhibitor called 4EHP inhibits the production of the host's defense protein-interferon through a joint study.

Finally, the researchers said that although this research discovery represents a breakthrough in the field of immunology and gene expression research, the researchers need to further study in the later stage to determine whether the targeted cellular mechanism can more effectively treat multiple types of viral infections.

Original source:

Xu Zhang, Clément Chapat, Peng Wang, et al.