Scientists identify protein key to inhibit flu virus

June 22, 2022
Down-regulating TAO2 prevents influenza from replicating in cells and could provide new target for antiviral therapies.

UT Southwestern scientists have identified a new function for a protein called TAO2 that appears to be key to inhibiting replication of the influenza virus, which sickens millions of individuals worldwide each year and kills hundreds of thousands, according to a news release.

The findings were published in PNAS.

“These results uncover new strategies for interfering with influenza virus replication, providing a potential avenue for the development of new antivirals against influenza,” said Beatriz Fontoura, PhD, Professor of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern, whose lab studies the interplay between RNA viruses, such as influenza A virus, with their hosts.

Fontoura’s work on replication of the virus that causes COVID-19:

To replicate, influenza virus takes over parts of the host cell nucleus known as nuclear speckles, which then provide the virus an environment to express its genes. Fontoura and her colleagues, including experts in cell biology, molecular biology, and pharmacology, identified a novel role in regulating nuclear speckle assembly and function for the TAO2 kinase – a protein involved in transferring phosphate groups to other proteins.

“We found that TAO2 is needed to maintain the physical integrity and function of nuclear speckles. Among the functions of nuclear speckles is regulation of key steps in gene expression, which are usurped by influenza virus at these compartments to support viral replication. Consequently, by down-regulating TAO2 levels – or its kinase activity – we were able to inhibit influenza virus replication without causing major toxic effects to the host cell,” said Fontoura.

Visit UT Southwestern for more news

ID 345720359 © Prostockstudio | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_345720359
ID 42387359 © Gerard Koudenburg | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_42387359
ID 335001386 © Serhii Hryshchyshen | Dreamstime.com
dreamstime_xxl_335001386