[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/7343\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EQ\u0026amp;A: How Covid-19 hijacks human cells \u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhy is the molecular biology of viruses important?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve always been interested in how cells are hijacked by viruses. When you look at a virus through a microscope, you can only see so much because they are really small compared to a cell. It is a bit like looking at a building from a satellite \u2013 you can\u2019t see the people inside or how they open the doors to get in. I\u2019m trying to understand how a virus opens the door to get inside the cell and take it over at a molecular level\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u2013\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;what cellular proteins and processes are involved.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EHow did you end up working on Covid-19?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EFor several years I have been studying flu and a few other viruses like\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EZ\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eika and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EHIV-1\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;(the most common HIV virus)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E. We have been finding that many viruses use the same doors to get into a cell, but open them in their own individual ways. When the genetic sequence of Sars-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) was published in February, we immediately recognised part of the sequence that codes for the spike protein.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhat is the spike protein?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe Sars-CoV-2 virus has all these spikes sticking up from the virus particle that make it look like a crown \u2013 that\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eis\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ewhy\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eit is called a coronavirus (corona is\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ELatin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;for crown). These spikes are proteins that are like a hook on the outside of the virus particle, which allow it to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7164637\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Erecognise and bind to human proteins\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;on the surface of cells. Without the spike protein, the virus would have no way of sticking to the surface of cells and infecting them.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe spike protein is also the ideal target for vaccines \u2013 both the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EModerna\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;and Pfizer\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\/\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EBioNTech\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;vaccines target the spike protein \u2013 so understanding\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eit\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;help\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Es\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;to improve them.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022 class=\u0022@alignleft@\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Dr Yamauchi says that drugs that interrupt neuropilin 1 binding could be used against of a wide variety of viruses, including those that may emerge in future pandemics. Image credit - Yohei Yamauchi\u0022 height=\u0022586\u0022 src=\u0022\/research-and-innovation\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/yohei-photo_sm2.jpg\u0022 title=\u0022Dr Yamauchi says that drugs that interrupt neuropilin 1 binding could be used against of a wide variety of viruses, including those that may emerge in future pandemics. Image credit - Yohei Yamauchi\u0022 width=\u0022728\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003EDr Yamauchi says that drugs that interrupt neuropilin 1 binding could be used against of a wide variety of viruses, including those that may emerge in future pandemics. Image credit - Yohei Yamauchi\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhat caught your eye about the Covid-19 spike protein?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe spike protein really differentiates this coronavirus from previous\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eones.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EW\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ee know about the ones that cause S\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EARS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;or M\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EERS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E. It\u2019s got these specific, unique sequences at the molecular level that allow it to bind to proteins on the cell surface. At some point this\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E(novel) corona\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Evirus obtained a sequence in its spike protein that allows it to be cleaved in two by an enzyme found in its host (humans) called\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E. We had seen this\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;cleavage in other viruses such as in the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu virus, where it appears\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ein\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ethe flu equivalent of the spike protein. Other pathogenic viruses also have\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;cleavage sites on the proteins that bind to cells \u2013 HIV, Ebola and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECrimean-Congo\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ehaemorrhagic\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;fever virus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eall have them.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhy is this important?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThe scientific community\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;already knew that\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ESars-\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECoV\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E-\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E2 had at some point obtained the ability to bind with a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/367\/6483\/1260\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Egreater affinity\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;to a receptor protein (a type of protein on the surface of a cell)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7102627\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ecalled ACE2\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;compared to the S\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EARS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;coronavirus. But when the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;cleaves the spike protein, it exposes a new sequence which allows it to bind to another host cell protein and hijack its function. We\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/lookup\/doi\/10.1126\/science.abd3072\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eidentified that protein as\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;it could be this that makes\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ESars-\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECoV\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E-\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E2 so highly infectious\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;in many organs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003E\u2018I\u2019m trying to understand how a virus opens the door to get inside the cell and take it over at a molecular level.\u2019\u0026amp;nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EDr Yohei Yamauchi, University of Bristol, UK\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhat does\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 normally do\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the body\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ENeuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 is a receptor protein found on the surface of\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Emany\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ecells that triggers the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Etransportation\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eof the molecules that bind to it\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;inside the cell\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E. It also\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eallows\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;molecules\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eto\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;be passed from cell to cell. In 3D tissue, that means something binding\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eto\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 on the top layer of cells could easily reach the middle layers of cells.\u202f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ESome people in cancer biology are very interested in it for this reason. If you can trigger\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1, you can increase the uptake of small drug molecules into otherwise solid tumours.\u202f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow does this help the virus?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThis is still a hypothesis, but we think viruses able to trigger\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 might be able to dig deeper into tissues without first having to replicate\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ethemselves\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ein the upper layer of cells. That would be an amazing bypassing mechanism for a virus.\u202f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWould that make it harder for the immune system to spot them too?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EExactly. And it would eventually mean the virus spreads quicker. It would help to give it this broad tropism\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E(ability to infect\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Emany different\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;organs and tissues\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ewe are seeing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECovid-19 compared to the coronavirus that caused S\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EARS\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E, which doesn\u2019t have that\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;cleavage site. The current virus is able to cause neurological symptoms like loss of smell, and taste, it is causing\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2589790X20300640\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Emyocarditis\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;(inflammation of the heart) in some patients, as well as going to the lungs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWe think the CoV-2 virus might be using\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 to facilitate traffick\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;into other\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Etypes of\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ecells by binding to cells on the surface of tissue\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Es\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;that have\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECan we use\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 to find new treatments for Covid-19?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWe are doing a follow up study on this, but we found that by interrupting the interaction between the viral spike protein and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 we can\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/lookup\/doi\/10.1126\/science.abd3072\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Edecrease infectivity in human cell cultures\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E. Due to the intense study in cancer biology on\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1, there are already\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1-neutralising antibodies that have been in phase 2a clinical trials in the US against certain types of cancer. There is also a small molecule antagonist that competes with other molecules at the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;binding site. Those are already out there, so by fine tuning them and improving their\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eaf\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efinity\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ability to bind to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E, we could produce some sort of drug that interrupts the interaction of the virus spike protein with\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1. It could be effective in reducing the severity of disease in patients.\u202f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022 class=\u0022@alignleft@\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Researchers have discovered that the coronavirus spike protein can bind to a receptor called neuropilin 1, which gives it another way to enter human cells. Image credit - Ryan Allen \u0022 height=\u0022576\u0022 src=\u0022\/research-and-innovation\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/image-3_sm.jpg\u0022 title=\u0022Researchers have discovered that the coronavirus spike protein can bind to a receptor called neuropilin 1, which gives it another way to enter human cells. Image credit - Ryan Allen \u0022 width=\u0022768\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003EResearchers have discovered that the coronavirus spike protein can bind to a receptor called neuropilin 1, which gives it another way to enter human cells. Image credit - Ryan Allen\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhat are you doing next?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWe have found that the spike protein can bind to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 in more than one place \u2013 it has at least two binding sites. The virus probably originated binding just at one place. Then it found by gaining this\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efurin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;binding site, it either increased\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Ebinding strength\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eor triggered internalisation. We are now trying to understand its whole interaction. We have some preliminary data that if we can block the spike protein from binding to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 completely, it really impacts infectivity even more.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EWhat might your research lead to longer term?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EMy theory is that\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1 has been and always will be a favoured receptor for a lot of viruses because of its multi\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E-\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Efunctionality in helping internalisation and spread through tissues. Each virus seems to have found a different way to bind to it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EIt seems almost unavoidable that a future pandemic will also be caused by a virus that also binds to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003Eneuropilin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;1. If we had a drug in advance that interrupts this interaction, we could use it at a very early stage of a pandemic and hopefully save patients\u2019 lives.\u202f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;134233117\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;134233118\u0026quot;:true,\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:240}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003EThat is really the aim of the wider\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/856581\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003ECHUbVi\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;project\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022none\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;that I am part of \u2013 we want to target the mechanisms viruses use to get into cells to make broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that can be used against a number of viruses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:200,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:276}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EThe research in this article was funded by the EU\u0027s European\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EResearch Council\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EIf you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:200,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:276}\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-7xjcuac8sdbka2ct-h1bvr6u7n35ar44i9svkhfnob8\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-7XJcUAc8SDbkA2cT-H1BVr6U7N35ar44I9sVKHfNOB8\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]