NEIDL Researchers Share New Insights into How Ebola Virus Interacts with Host Proteins, Aiding Search for Potential Antiviral Targets
The Ebola virus, like other viruses, requires host proteins to replicate in infected cells. Understanding interactions between Ebola virus proteins and those within host cells may identify novel targets for therapeutic development. A publication in Nature Communications describes a novel method for studying interactions that occur among protein complexes, rather than between individual proteins. Using this approach, Dr. Robert Davey, Director ad interim of the NEIDL and collaborators at the NEIDL, Purdue University, Icahn School of Medicine, Georgia State University, and Washington University School of Medicine identified three host proteins that, when depleted, reduce Ebola virus replication.
This novel method combines proximity-dependent biotinylation screening with computational analysis of human protein-protein interaction networks, facilitating the identification of host protein complexes interacting with Ebola virus proteins. This provides more detailed information compared with proximity screening alone. The proteins identified in this study may help guide development of novel Ebola virus therapies. The method can also be applied to identifying host proteins that interact with related viruses, such as the Marburg and Sudan viruses, potentially enabling development of therapies to treat these serious public health threats as well.
For more detail, read the publication in Nature Communications.