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The Structure of West Nile VirusResearch conducted by Purdue University biologists at the Markey Center for Structural Biology has succeeded in uncovering the basic structure of the West Nile virus. The team deciphered the outer layers of the virus, which is formed by proteins, with the aid of cryoelectron microscopy and advanced imaging techniques. Understanding protein formation is important because the proteins are what allow the virus to bind to and invade a host cell. Richard J. Kuhn, a professor of biological sciences in Purdue's School of Science, said, "We can't cure West Nile yet, but we can now start thinking about how to interfere with these interactions, which could be a key to stopping the infection's progress. "The West Nile virus is formed from three protein types. After the virus assembles in its host cell, these protein molecules fit together like a jigsaw puzzle and form a well-ordered symmetrical particle. From the structure, we now know, essentially, how the major sets of protein molecules interlock with each other chemically. Armed with this knowledge, scientists might now conceive of ways to interrupt the viral assembly process." The first case of West Nile Virus in the United States was discovered in New York City in 1999. It has now spread to 44 states. There have been 84 deaths nationwide so far this year. The disease normally produces flu like- symptoms but can also cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and membranes around them in the forms of West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis and West Nile meningoencephalitis.
November 1, 2003 | |||||
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