Tiny protein offers major insight into foot-and-mouth virus
- Date:
- October 3, 2017
- Source:
- University of Leeds
- Summary:
- Scientists have identified that a tiny protein, which plays a major role in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, demonstrates a greater level of genetic economy than previously reported.
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Scientists have identified that a tiny protein, which plays a major role in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, demonstrates a greater level of genetic economy than previously reported.
Lead researcher Professor Nicola Stonehouse, from the University of Leeds' Faculty of Biological Sciences, said: "Sometimes it's the little things that can make the big differences. By understanding the role of this tiny viral protein in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, we're hoping to find more effective vaccines that fight the disease."
Researchers from the University of Leeds and The Pirbright Institute identified a new role for a small viral protein -- called 3B3 -- revealing how these viruses can copy themselves efficiently. Foot-and-mouth disease is of great economic importance and their findings could lead to the development of more effective vaccines against the disease in the future.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Leeds. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Morgan R. Herod, Sarah Gold, Lidia Lasecka-Dykes, Caroline Wright, Joseph C. Ward, Thomas C. McLean, Sophie Forrest, Terry Jackson, Tobias J. Tuthill, David J. Rowlands, Nicola J. Stonehouse. Genetic economy in picornaviruses: Foot-and-mouth disease virus replication exploits alternative precursor cleavage pathways. PLOS Pathogens, 2017; 13 (10): e1006666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006666
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