Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70):
The team from JNU’s Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, identified a human protein, Hsp70, as a critical factor in the spread of diseases like malaria and Covid-19.
- Hsp70 is a type of molecular chaperone, a protein that plays a vital role in helping other proteins fold into their proper shapes and preventing misfolding.
- It plays a crucial role in regulating protein synthesis and protecting proteins from stress.
- It becomes elevated during times of cellular stress and they help to shield cells from further insults.
- It plays an important role in protein folding, preventing protein aggregation and transport of proteins across membranes.
- It is crucial for protein homeostasis and cell survival.
- The team of researchers discovered that Hsp70 interacts with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for Covid-19—and human ACE2 receptors, which the virus uses to enter cells.
- They hypothesized that during fever, Hsp70 levels rise and help stabilise this interaction, making it easier for the virus to infect cells.
- By inhibiting Hsp70, the researchers successfully blocked viral replication in lab tests.
- The research suggests that targeting Hsp70 might help prevent drug resistance, a growing problem in treating infections.
