A unique mechanism helps bat cells evade SARS-CoV-2 virus
Whitehead Institute
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A new antiviral mechanism in bat cells
Viruses are masters of stealth. From the moment a virus enters the host’s body, it begins hijacking its cells. But in bats, the infection process unfolds differently. Despite carrying several deadly viruses—Marburg, Ebola, Nipah, among others—bats rarely get sick from these diseases.
What they’ve learned: Whitehead Institute Founding Member Rudolf Jaenisch, postdoc Punam Bisht , and colleagues have found a new antiviral mechanism in bat cells that allows the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the cells, but prevents them from replicating their genome and completing the hijacking process.
Why it matters: Identifying the genes involved in this antiviral mechanism, and exploring how they interact with the virus during infection, could potentially help scientists develop better vaccines and antiviral strategies for coronaviruses.
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