On the quest for viral enlightenment, I stumbled upon an article titled, "Liquid DNA Behind Virus Attack." Attracted by this sci-fi-esque title, I decided to read on. According to the report posted in R&D Mag, "viruses can convert their DNA from Solid to Fluid form." Obviously the author of this article hasn't taken classes in virology, otherwise they would have specified that not all Viruses use DNA as their nucleic acid, but I decided to continue on reading because I wanted to understand what the new and hot stuff was about. Despite my decreasing trust in the Author, it turns out that they were talking about a study published on September 7, 2014 to Nature's journal of Chemical Biology titled, "Solid-to-fluid DNA transition inside HSV-1 capsid close to the temperature of infection."
Although it was published a month ago, the article is actually pretty interesting, and discusses the method in which Herpes Virus 1 injects it's DNA into the host cell. HSV-1 DNA has a "crystalline density" inside of the capsid, but the ionic environment of epithelial and neuronal cells reduces sliding friction between DNA strands, thus allowing for the injection of the DNA into the cell's nucleus to be fluidic. The cations present in the cytoplasm of the cells have a "screening" effect on the negatively charged repulsive interactions that would normally occur and cause friction between adjacent strands of tightly packed DNA.
This favorable ionic environment makes those cells particularly susceptible towards being infected by HSV-1, and the authors realize the potential for a drug that could change the ionic environment, increasing the sliding friction needed for injection of fluid like DNA, and limiting viral replication within the nucleus. The authors also mention that the temperature of the human body, 37 degrees Celsius, is optimal for reducing strand-strand interaction. They excitedly conclude by noting that stopping the solid to fluid like transition of the viral genome in HSV-1 via ion and temperature variation may be a new antiviral target for drug development.
If you are interested in reading the article on R&D Magazine which lead me to the Nature article, check it out here:
If you are interested in reading the article on R&D Magazine which lead me to the Nature article, check it out here: http://www.rdmag.com/news/2014/10/liquid-dna-behind-virus-attacks
- Marcus Munoz
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
5 years ago I had warts, I was treated with some liquid applied to the warts they continued to grow and spread... The next 2 doctors did laser surgery to remove them. 1 year after the surgery, they grew back close to where the 1st ones were' so I was finally told it was hpv. I have had it for very long time, I contract it from my cheated boyfriend and I found out he was also infected and I end up the relationship between us. the warts was so embarrasses because it started spreading all over I have be dealing with this things for very long time the last treatment I take was About 2 years ago I applied natural treatment from Dr onokun herbal cure, a week after applying the treatment all the warts was gone. it's now 2 years and some months I don't have single wart or any symptoms of hpv. wow"" it's great, Dr onokun has finally cured me. Anyone living with hpv contact Dr onokun for natural treatment.
His email address: dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com
My iGg tested <0.9 after 12 weeks of taking Dr Bayo Ewebe's herbal medicine, I tried so many things in the past but this worked for me. Anyone still living with herpes or any other STD should give it a try I'm very sure you'd be happy you did, the email is Dr.bayoherbalkingdom@yahoo.com
Post a Comment