Université de Montréal team develops model to identify protein parts that viruses use to control cells, make copies of themselves
Now an international team of scientists has developed a new computer model that could help find the parts of these proteins that viruses use to make copies of themselves. The researchers hope this work can help prevent future pandemics and protect people from bioterror threats.Video: Researchers find protein clues to fight future viral-induced pandemics
James Omichinski and Haytham Wahba at the University of Montreal were part of the research team studying hemorrhagic fever viruses, which include Ebola and less well-known viruses such as the Rift Valley Fever, which can also affect livestock and disrupt the food chain. These viruses pose a unique threat because they are under-studied and, according to Omichinski, “a lot of them we have no vaccines for.”
Omichinski’s team helped developed a model that can predict whether a protein contains a short linear interacting motif, or SLiM. A SLiM is a section of a protein that can serve many functions. This enables it to control a host cell in ways that help the virus grow.
After identifying 18 proteins expected to contain a SLiM, the team used the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan to generate three-dimensional images of them. Using those images, the team confirmed that the proteins contained the expected SLiM.
Read more on the CLS website
Image: Lab photo James Omichinski and Haytham Wahba
Credit: CLS