Study sheds light on how coronavirus may hijack human cells

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have identified parts of human proteins which vel coronavirus could be using to hijack host cell processes, an vance that may le to development of new drugs for treating COVID-19. researchers, including Manjeet Kumar from European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany, analysed chain of ami acid molecules that makes up human proteins involved in coronavirus infection, such as a class of proteins called integrins.

Previous research h found that SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, enters cells through a process called endocytosis upon binding to cell surface receptor ACE2 and potentially or proteins like integrins. In current study, published in journal Science Signalling, scientists focussed particularly on short strings of ami acids called short linear motifs (SLiMs), which are involved in transmitting information between inside and outside of cells.

y saw that several integrins contain SLiMs that are likely involved in cellular processes of uptake and disposal of substances called endocytosis and autophagy. "If SARS-CoV-2 targets proteins involved in endocytosis and autophagy, it means se processes might be hijacked by virus during infection," said Balint Meszaros, a co-author of study from EMBL.

researchers believe findings may le to new rapeutic approaches for COVID-19. "SLiMs could 'switch' to turn viral entry signals on or off. This means that if we can find a way to reverse se switches using drugs, this might stop coronavirus from entering cells," explained study senior author Lucia Chemes.

"Toger, se findings have identified a potential link between autophagy and integrin signaling and could le to new ways to prevent viral infection," scientists wrote in study. Based on results, researchers gared a list of existing drugs that interfere with endocytosis and autophagy. "If clinical trials prove some of se drugs to work against COVID-19, this could be a game changer," Kumar ded.