Chennai: Researchers have identified parts of human proteins which the novel coronavirus could be using to hijack host cell processes an advance that may lead to the development of new drugs for treating Covid-19. Scientists including Indian-origin Manjeet Kumar from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany analysed the chain of amino acid molecules that makes up the human proteins involved in the coronavirus infection such as a class of proteins called integrins. Earlier research had found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 enters cells through a process called endocytosis upon binding to the cell surface receptor ACE2 and potentially other proteins like integrins. In the latest study published in the journal Science Signalling the scientists focussed particularly on short strings of amino acids called short linear motifs (SLiMs) which are involved in transmitting information between the inside and outside of cells. They found that several integrins contain SLiMs that are likely involved in the cellular processes of uptake and disposal of substances called endocytosis and autophagy. Balint Meszaros a co-author of the study from EMBL said “If SARS-CoV-2 targets proteins involved in endocytosis and autophagy it means these processes might be hijacked by the virus during infection.” Scientists believe the findings may lead to new therapeutic 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 these switches using drugs this might stop coronavirus from entering cells” explained study senior author Lucia Chemes. The scientists wrote: Together these findings have identified a potential link between autophagy and integrin signaling and could lead to new ways to prevent viral infection. Based on the results of the study the scientists gathered a list of existing drugs that interfere with endocytosis and autophagy.

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