A team of fifteen Quebec researchers has uncovered an enzyme responsible for the SARS-CoV-2 infection hitherto ignored. Scientists estimate that by inhibiting this molecule, they will be able to slow down “at least 95% of viral entry”.
In the process of viral infection, at least two molecules present in the human body allow the “fusion of the virus and the cell”, explains Nabil Seidah, director of the Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Laboratory at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM ). Known for a long time, furin is one of them.
Mr. Seidah’s team succeeded in identifying the second: the TMPRSS2 protein.
If these two molecules are prevented from functioning, “we block the enzymatic function of the cell”, explains the researcher. “Even if the virus has its key to enter the cell, the key is not going to work. »
They thus exposed, in an article published in The Journal of Virologythe impact of the “combination” of these two enzymes in the prevention of infections.
If we manage to prevent these enzymes from acting, the entry of viruses into human cells is reduced by 95%, the study indicates. Two already known drugs (BOS and Camostat) can act on these molecules.
These antivirals do not attract enough attention from pharmaceutical companies, however regrets Nabil Seidah. “They prefer vaccines, because they attack the virus. They put the cell aside because they fear the toxicity of such a treatment. But we intend to administer it over a period of 5 to 10 days. »
Another advantage of their approach: the cell does not mutate, unlike viruses. By deploying “an arsenal” of antiviral drugs, doctors could fight the virus that causes COVID-19, even if it presents itself as a new variant again, he says . “We will be ready if another virus attacks us,” hopes Mr. Seidah.
“You have to stay humble,” he warns. The virus may find a third way in. »
This research conducted by the IRCM must be continued with clinical studies to demonstrate the real effectiveness of these antivirals in patients.
This text is taken from our newsletter “The mail of the coronavirus” of April 4, 2022. To subscribe, click here.