A groundbreaking discovery from Guizhou University in China could revolutionize antiviral treatments for plant viruses. Researchers have identified a novel mechanism used by the Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) to hijack host cells. This finding opens new avenues for developing targeted antiviral drugs.
The study, conducted at the State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, revealed that CGMMV interacts with a host protein, FBPase, to form biomolecular condensates (BMCs). These BMCs create an environment conducive to viral replication. Disrupting this interaction could effectively inhibit viral spread.
Specifically, the research pinpointed Tyr18, an amino acid residue within the virus's capsid protein, as crucial for BMC formation and viral pathogenicity. A novel compound, C1, targeting Tyr18, demonstrated remarkable inhibitory activity against CGMMV. This discovery paves the way for designing targeted antiviral drugs against CGMMV and potentially other viruses, offering a promising solution for global food security.