Key protein behind common respiratory virus identified

New York: A team of researchers have identified the structure of a key protein behind a common respiratory virus that may provide a potential target for vaccines or treatments for the illness.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children.

In the study, the researchers mapped the molecular structure of an RSV protein known as NS1.

Scientists were unable to determine exactly how NS1 interfered with the immune system as the protein was unknown.

Researchers said that knowing the structure of the protein will help them understand how the virus impedes the immune response, potentially leading to a vaccine or treatment for this common infection.

By suppressing the immune response, the virus gives itself a better chance of surviving and multiplying, or in other words, of causing disease.

Daisy Leung, assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis said, "Now that we have the structure, we're able to see what the protein looks like, which will help us define what it does and how it does it. And that could lead, down the road, to new targets for vaccine or drug development,"

The paper published in the journal Nature Microbiology

(With IANS inputs)