Wuhang University found that fatal point of SARS coronavirus

2009-02-17

By February 16 after nearly six years of reporting efforts, Wuhan University researchers recently discovered the deadly SARS coronavirus, the one group are called "non-structural protein nsp14" genetic coding. The researchers said that this important discovery for screening drugs against SARS virus lay the foundation for further research into small molecule drug.
Journalist learned from Wuhan University, found that the gene encoding the school are the College of Life Science, National Key Laboratory of Virology Professor Guo Deyin their doctoral Chen, co-authors also include the Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, director of the Center for Modern Tanami, such as viruses. The results of the study recently in the international authority of a comprehensive academic journal "The United States Academy of Sciences" published.

(more)In 2003 after the SARS outbreak, the medical profession recognized the pathogenic SARS coronavirus, but the virus is how substantial survival and reproduction, but has not been clarified. This question is crucial for the prevention of SARS disease. In recent years, both at home and abroad on the SARS virus, the laboratory had undertaken extensive research, but the occurrence of SARS virus characteristics and pathogenic mechanism is still poorly understood.

Experts believe that, SARS virus has been brought under control, but the nature of wildlife groups still exist in SARS-like coronavirus, SARS virus, the risk of another outbreak still exists.

According to introduction, SARS virus is now found in The largest RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus, which is life by gene transfer RNA. Wuhan university research group ASTRI select a number of coronavirus-specific RNA-processing enzymes as its major research goals, through the yeast system in vitro screening and biochemical analysis, we found SARS virus genome-encoded 1b district a "non-structural protein nsp14" At the same time with two RNA-processing activity, and use the SARS virus replication subsystem activity to prove that these are SARS virus genome replication necessary.

Participation of key researchers Chen explained, "non-structural protein nsp14" for the virus genetic information "disguise", so that the immune system to identify any, will be substantial virus unknowingly into a place to attack, as well as HIV transmission play a protective effect. In addition, it is their genes into the virus core protein illness, not this group of coding, more genes have changed not a virus. Professor Guo Deyin said through the system to identify some of the SARS virus, this feature harmful, but the material is harmless to human body, and then developed into small-molecule drugs.

It is understood that in 2001, Academy of Sciences Wuhan University Tanami to make forward-looking emphasis on new hair, sudden major viral disease research, in the school of Health set up the Wuhan University ASTRI modern virus centers and national colleges and universities at that time only three level biosafety laboratory, so that the school in the study of SARS virus has unique conditions. (This article Source: By Author:艾启ping, WANG Huai-min)