What is it about?
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells is aided by the action of proteases in host cells. In other words, the activity of the proteases is the gas pedal for the growth of SARS-CoV-2, while the host cells should have an inhibitor(s) to prevent the protease activity from getting out of control. We found that HAI-2, a host factor, has such bioactivity and plays a role in alleviating the SARS-CoV-2 growth.
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Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Viruses depend on the function of the host cell to multiply, so the host cells have a variety of host factors that help the virus multiply. On the other hand, there are also many repressors that regulate the function of these host factors. Understanding these growth factors and inhibitory factors will greatly advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Perspectives
Understanding the HAI-2 molecule may also open the way to the development of new therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.
Dr Makoto Takeda
Department of Microbiology, The University of Tokyo
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Physiological TMPRSS2 Inhibitor HAI-2 Alleviates SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Journal of Virology, May 2021, ASM Journals,
DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00434-21.
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