Ribonucleic Acid

Novel mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine encoding four mpox virus surface proteins generates robust immune responses against orthopoxviruses

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers described a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle mpox vaccine encoding four conserved mpox virus surface proteins which induced mpox virus-specific immunity and elicited heterologous protection when challenged with lethal vaccinia virus. Study: A monkeypox mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine targeting virus binding, entry, and transmission drives … Read more

SARS-CoV-2 and human cold coronavirus OC43 inhibit stress granule formation through Nsp15 protein

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In a recent study published in the journal PLOS pathogensresearchers investigated the mechanisms through which the human common cold Betacoronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inhibit the formation of stress granules. Study: Nsp1 proteins of human coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV2 inhibit stress granule formation. Image Credit: MIA Studio/Shutterstock Background Stress … Read more

Research reveals a novel viral strategy in modulating stress granule formation to promote virus infection

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In a recent study published in PLOS pathogensresearchers illustrated a novel strategy likely employed by viruses to promote infection. Study: Targeting Nup358/RanBP2 by a viral protein disrupting stress granule formation. Image credit: Rost9/Shutterstock Background Viruses likely inhibit a host cell stress response by blocking the accumulation of stress granules (SGs). SGs are ‘sinks’ or ribonucleic … Read more

Novel mRNA vaccines encoding monkeypox virus proteins show promise in preclinical studies

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers in China demonstrated the efficacy of three messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology-based Monkeypox virus (MPXV) vaccines in combating a lethal Vaccinia virus (VACV) challenge in mice models. Study: Novel mRNA vaccines encoding monkeypox virus M1R and A35R protect mice from a lethal virus challenge. … Read more

SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame 3c protein found to be targeted selectively to mitochondria

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers presented a functional analysis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) open reading frame 3c (ORF3c) protein. Study: The SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3c is a mitochondrial modulator of innate immunity. Image Credit: Corona Borealis Studio/Shutterstock Background The genome of SARS-CoV-2 encodes a wide … Read more

emerging technologies are capable of unlocking the promise of biologically targeted mRNA therapeutics

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In a recent article published in Nature Biotechnologyresearchers reviewed technology advancements that will unlock the promise of biologically targeted messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) therapeutics beyond vaccines. Study: Unlocking the promise of mRNA therapeutics. Image Credit: nobeastsofierce/Shutterstock Background The first part of the review focused on the design and purification of the mRNA cargos, including novel … Read more

Motif-based SARS-CoV-2 protein-human protein interactions as potential antiviral target sites

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In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers performed a ProP-PD (proteomic peptide phage display) analysis to identify peptides from intrinsically disordered human (host) proteome regions that bind with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome-encoded folded protein domains (PDs). Study: Identification of motif-based interactions between SARS-CoV-2 protein domains and human … Read more