 |
|
Researchers find 'secret weapon' used by SARS virus
August 08, 2006Galveston, Texas - In 2003, the highly contagious and often-deadly mystery disease now called SARS emerged explosively out of Southern China. It eventually killed an estimated 916 people in Asia, Europe, and North and South America-nearly one in ten of those it infected.
When scientists identified the virus that caused this sudden acute respiratory syndrome, they classified it as a coronavirus-a virus family whose other members cause many common colds. But to there was nothing common about the lethality of SARS; clearly, this coronavirus had some nasty tricks up its sleeve.
Now, in a discovery that suggests a possible new route by which scientists might fashion a vaccine against SARS, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) have uncovered one of those tricks: a "secret weapon" that the SARS coronavirus uses to sabotage the immune defenses of infected cells. Experiments conducted by the UTMB scientists show that a SARS coronavirus protein called "nsp1" causes the breakdown of biochemical messages that normally prompt the production of a protein critical to defending the body against viruses.
"The SARS nsp1 protein degrades the messenger RNA instructions sent from DNA to make interferon beta, which is crucial to host immunity," said UTMB professor of microbiology and immunology Shinji Makino, senior author of a paper on the discovery to be published online the week of August 7 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "This is a very rare phenomenon, and it raises a lot of questions - among them, whether we can make a mutant form of SARS coronavirus that lacks the ability to degrade messenger RNA, which could ultimately lead to the creation of a live attenuated vaccine for SARS."
Although many viruses interfere with host cells making messenger RNA or translating it into infection-fighting proteins, only one other virus is known to break down messenger RNA: herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Makino credits lead author Wataru Kamitani, a UTMB postdoctoral research fellow, with noticing that the nsp1 protein had an unexpected effect while he was investigating a different set of SARS coronavirus proteins. "He found this suppression of host gene expression, and then he designed several elegant experiments that showed it was caused by RNA degradation, something never before seen in an RNA virus."
Exactly how that degradation takes place, how an RNA virus can preserve its integrity when it makes a protein that breaks down RNA, and whether a mutated non-RNA-degrading SARS coronavirus could constitute a workable SARS vaccine are all issues that Makino's group intends to pursue. "The main concern for everybody is whether SARS will come back," Makino said. "We want to be ready for it if it does."
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
"The SARS nsp1 protein degrades the messenger RNA instructions sent from DNA to make interferon beta, which is crucial to host immunity," said UTMB professor of microbiology and immunology Shinji Makino, senior author of a paper on the discovery to be published online the week of August 7 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "This is a very rare phenomenon, and it raises a lot of questions - among them, whether we can make a mutant form of SARS coronavirus that lacks the ability to degrade messenger RNA, which could ultimately lead to the creation of a live attenuated vaccine for SARS."
Although many viruses interfere with host cells making messenger RNA or translating it into infection-fighting proteins, only one other virus is known to break down messenger RNA: herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Makino credits lead author Wataru Kamitani, a UTMB postdoctoral research fellow, with noticing that the nsp1 protein had an unexpected effect while he was investigating a different set of SARS coronavirus proteins. "He found this suppression of host gene expression, and then he designed several elegant experiments that showed it was caused by RNA degradation, something never before seen in an RNA virus."
Exactly how that degradation takes place, how an RNA virus can preserve its integrity when it makes a protein that breaks down RNA, and whether a mutated non-RNA-degrading SARS coronavirus could constitute a workable SARS vaccine are all issues that Makino's group intends to pursue. "The main concern for everybody is whether SARS will come back," Makino said. "We want to be ready for it if it does."
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
SARS Current Events and SARS News RSS2-pronged protein attack could be source of SARS virulence
Ever since the previously unknown SARS virus emerged from southern China in 2003, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston virologists have focused on finding the source of the pathogen's virulence - its ability to cause disease.
Will genomics help prevent the next pandemic?
This week, the Public Library of Science, an open-access publisher, presents the "Genomics of Emerging Infectious Disease," a collection of essays, perspectives, and reviews that explores how genomics-with all its associated tools and techniques-can provide insights into our understanding of emerging infectious disease.
Paradigm shift needed to combat drug resistance
When people travel, bacteria and other infectious agents travel with them. As about a billion people cross international borders each year, many more billions of the bugs come along for the ride.
What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation.
Should noninvasive ventilation be considered a high-risk procedure during an epidemic?
Contrary to current policies recommending that non-invasive ventilation be avoided during an infectious outbreak, the author of a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) argues that it should be used expeditiously in this setting.
World will miss 2010 target to stem biodiversity loss, experts say
The world will miss its agreed target to stem biodiversity loss by next year, according to experts convening in Cape Town for a landmark conference devoted to biodiversity science.
Surgical masks and N95 respirators provide similar protection against influenza
A McMaster University study has found that surgical masks appear to be as good as N95 respirators in protecting health-care workers against influenza.
Medical ethics experts identify, address key issues in H1N1 pandemic
The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according to the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, which today released nine papers for public discussion.
Swine Flu Could Wreak More Havoc on U.S. Economy, Says UAB Economist
H1N1 influenza could slow growth in key industries and stall already-weak GDP growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, says a health economist in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Business.
Public attitudes to new technology: Lessons for regulators
New technologies may change our lives for the better, but sometimes they have risks. Communicating those benefits and risks to the public, and developing regulations to deal with them, can be difficult - particularly if there's already public opposition to the technology.
More SARS Current Events and SARS News Articles
 |
Twenty-First Century Plague: The Story of SARS by Thomas Abraham (Author) In the autumn of 2002 in southern China, a previously unknown virus jumped the species barrier from animal to man and sparked the first global epidemic of the new century. The disease sped along the air routes of a globalized world, spreading within months to thirty-one countries on every continent. Before it was reined in by a remarkable international scientific effort, the SARS virus demonstrated human society's vulnerability to disease. New infectious diseases like SARS have been emerging at an alarming rate over the past few decades. There is every indication the world will continue to face new viral diseases, some of them much more lethal and contagious than SARS. This book traces the emergence of SARS, in the process examining the global politics and economics of... |
 |
Sars Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis Starring: Suthep Po-ngam, Supakorn Kitsuwon, Phintusuda Tunphairao, Lena Christensen, Andrew Biggs Directed By: Taweewat Wantha Also With: Taweewat Wantha (Writer), Adirek Wattaleela (Producer), Adirek Wattaleela (Writer), Akaradech Maneeploypech (Producer), Kuanchun Phemyad (Writer), Sommai Lertulan (Writer), Uncle (Writer) The next SARS outbreak will be drastically worse due to a mutation in the virus that turns infected people into flesh craving zombies! With the world in the deadly grip of a global epidemic Thailand is proud to proclaim that they are the only virus free nation in Asia. However the virus manages to infiltrate Thailand's quarantine and spread quickly through an apartment building. As the number of infected continues to rise its up to a sword wielding hero to venture into the building and battle the undead.This movie has it all! Hot schoolgirls wielding axes? Check! Zombie babies? Check! Giant zombie snake? Check! Zombie ravers? You betcha! A zombie comedy in the in the tradition of Shaun of the Dead starring Supakorn Kitsuwan (Tears of the Black Tiger) and Suthep Po-ngam (Killer Tattoo).... |
 |
SARS: How a Global Epidemic Was Stopped (A WPRO Publication) by World Health Organization (Author) Where did this frightening disease come from? How did it spread? And will the world be any better prepared if it returns? For the first time, these and other questions are answered in this remarkable inside account of what really took place in those fateful months of 2003 when severe acute respiratory syndrome threatened to engulf the world. |
 |
Sam Cooke's Sar Records Story - 2 Pack Jewel Case by Sam Cooke For a few years during the early 1960s, Sam Cooke, the man with the golden croon, ran his own small record label, SAR Records. In addition to aiding the career of the post-Cooke Soul Stirrers, SAR unleashed an impressive array of talent--Bobby Womack and the Valentinos, Lou Rawls and the Pilgrim Travelers, and a young organist named Billy Preston. The singles they cut for his label are here, alongside unreleased demos from Cooke such as a spare, transporting take of "That's Heaven to Me." Story presents much evidence of the Soul Stirrers' continued greatness with Jimmie Outler as lead singer. And the tracks by R.H. Harris & His Gospel Paraders are stone groove gospel-soul cuts. Disc 2 presents the secular material, with solid jazz-funk cuts alongside swell pop-soul numbers. To top it all... |
|
Sar by Medlemsbladet Sar | |
 |
Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark Strap Orange Dial Men's Watch #3059.SAR by Luminox Diving watch, Three-hand Swiss quartz movement featuring Luminox Light Technolgy, Polished black hour, minute and sweep seconds hands with luminous accents, Black Arabic numbers accentuated by luminous markers, Black numbers mark inner 24-hour/military display, Black indices reveal outer minute track, Analog date aperture at 3, Black unidirectional timing bezel etched with orange-enamelled numbers/indices, Black polycarbonate/carbon-reinforced round case with protected crown, Carbon-reinforced caseback, Mineral crystal, 200 meters/660 feet water resistant |
 |
For Premium Samsung Freeform Link Screen Protector by KarenDeals Prevent scratches on your screen. Keep the screen in pristine shape and prevent accidental scratches from marring your phone's LCD screen. This screen protector features a pre-cut screen protector to fit the dimensions of your phone. |
 |
Ammex N95 Rated Face Masks - Protects From Flu, Sars and Other Fatal Deseases - 20 per Box - Niosh N95 by Ammex The Center for Disease Control has suggested the use of face masks as one of the first lines of defense against the virus that causes Flu. Latex free cone-style face masks N95 rated (95% particulate filter efficiency). The CDC recommends N95 rated masks for infection protection Metal nosepiece conforms to bridge of nose for secure placement, with foam pad for comfort Dual headbands for a snug fit 20 masks per box |
 |
Shimano® Saros® F Spinning Reel, SAR2500F by SHIMANO Shimano Saros F Spinning Reel. Improved gear durability, line management and casting performance! Sure-fire success with spinning tackle! Equipped with Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement, Propulsion Line Management System and the Aero Wrap II Oscillation System, the Saros increases casting distance with less effort, while arming your with a durable, dutiful Reel that's always game for you next on-the-water battle! More: Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement uses a special cold-forged aluminum drive gear and a hardened brass pinion gear retain out-of-the-box smoothness much longer than all stainless steel drivetrains; 5-component Propulsion Line management System means longer casts with less effort, while drastically reducing the chance of backlash, wind knots or tangles; Aero Wrap II... |
 |
Che grande festa sarà Piccolo Coro (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |