How deadly new coronavirus infects human cells

New research identifies a protein on the cell surface called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), a key receptor for disease

Scientists have discovered how the deadly new coronavirus , which until last year was not detected in humans, infects human cells and causes serious and potentially fatal lung damage, reportedReuters , citing a publication in the journal " Nature . " In one of the first detailed studies of the virus identified in the Middle East in September last year and so far infected 15 people worldwide, killing nine of them, Dutch experts have identified a protein on the cell surface, which he uses to enter and infect human cells. discovery published in the journal "Nature" comes at a time when the World Health Organization confirmed the 15th case of virus called NcoV, patient in Saudi Arabia, died on 2 March NcoV new coronavirus is the same family as the causes of colds and showed for the first time in Asia in the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Posted February survey found that NcoV virus is well adapted to infect humans and is amenable to treatment with interferon - drugs that stimulate the immune system recalls the agency.specialists in the study of the medical center "Erasmus" in the Netherlands have set themselves to find answer to the question how the virus enters the cell, which uses receptors where the body most often found these receptors. 

"Once identified receptor and knowing its distribution in the body, we can get more information about the pathogenesis of the virus - how it infects humans, and its possible transfer," explains Bart Haagmans the research team. Experts have identified a protein on the cell surface called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), a key receptor for the disease.They also found that cells containing DPP4 receptors are distributed in the lower respiratory tract, but not above. This explains why the virus affects the lungs, not the nose and throat as influenza viruses.discovery will help in the search for new ways to develop drugs and vaccines that block receptors DPP4 and prevent infection. Several drugs that block these receptors are already on the market, licensed for diabetes. The authors of this study have used them to try in the laboratory to stop the virus, but have found that they do not actagainst him. specialists are working with new molecules that can block the receptors and DPP4 underlie vaccine .  http://www.vesti.bg/index.phtml?tid=40&oid=5605011