Breakthrough Discovery: Eijkman Researchers Develop Corona Virus Entry Blocker

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 22 April 2024 07:01 IWST

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Research team at the Molecular Biology Research Centre Eijkman Created the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). spike bodies which is an entry blocker Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) into the human body.

This technology was developed from 2021 to 2023 in Madrid, Spain. This research was published in the Advanced Science Journal in October 2023.

Funding was obtained from the BBVA Foundation in collaboration with the US Maryland School of Medicine and Central Madrid Hospital, using Cryo-EM and Diamond Synchroton technology in Oxford, England.

“We have successfully designed and developed two nanobody (the smallest naturally occurring antigen binding domain) and determining its structure using Cryo-EM,” said Yudhi Nugraha, one of the research team members, at the Cryogenic Laboratory Series webinar #2 Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), Thursday (18/).4).

Cryo-EM is a technique in high-resolution structural biology to break down structures in atoms that resemble X-ray crystals. This technique can reveal structural details without requiring a virus crystal sample.

Yudhi explained spike protein It plays a key role in dealing with the pandemic because it interacts with human ACE2, which is the gateway for viruses into human cells.

Spike protein it itself is shaped like spikes that stick to the surface of the virus, and their job is to open the way for the virus to enter the infection target.

“Spikebodies have been shown to have the ability to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection through mechanisms obstruction between ACE2 receptor with the SARS-CoV-2 spike. “This can be done through protein definition, protein purification and validation techniques using Cryo-EM and X-ray Crystallography,” he explained.

ACE2 or Angiotensin converting enzyme 2, named from the site Gadjah Mada University Pharmacy (UGM), an enzyme that binds to the outer surface or membrane of cells in several organs, such as the lungs, arteries, heart, kidneys and intestines.

The SARS-CoV virus can enter host cells in the human body by binding to ACE2 as its receptor.

Protein spike or spike protein The virus has a strong affinity (prone to form chemical bonds with other elements or compounds) with human ACE2.

“This binding to the ACE2 receptor helps the SARS-CoV virus enter its host cells,” according to the UGM statement.

By understanding the structure of SARS-CoV-2 proteins such as the spike protein that enables the virus to spread, Yudhi said we can develop the latest artificial antibody systems, including nanobodyto fight viral infections more effectively.

“Our next strategic target is to use technology nanobody “This is to block all types of viruses by adapting to structural differences in the main release proteins,” said Yudhi.

He emphasized the importance of structural biology programs in solving the mysteries of biodiversity at the molecular level.

In this field called structural biology, researchers can understand biodiversity through the use of Cryo-EM technology built at BRIN.

Yudhi also confirmed that structural biology research is not only useful for understanding life at the smallest level, but also has the potential to develop drugs, antibodies and engineering. nanobody.

“Through Cryo-EM technology, we can reveal invisible enemies. The structural biology approach gives us a way to understand transmission mechanisms and design the best strategies to put the -face them,” said the researcher who is currently making the program. postdoctoral fellow here in Italy.

Yudhi emphasized that the advantage of this technology is that it can accommodate virus mutations.

“By understanding the structure of the virus, we can understand the patterns of interaction and the life cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in host cells. This allows us to design effective forms of antibodies to fight the virus. “

“Even when the virus changes to avoid the existing immune system, we can change it by creating new nanobodies that correspond to the mutated version,” he said.

(team/air)