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University of Otago researchers have used high-resolution electron microscopy images to reveal how anti-cancer viruses interact with tumor cells, increasing its potential to save lives.
Seneca Valley Virus (SVV), a newly discovered virus, which is one of the most common micronutrients in the world. of Microbiology and Immunology.
He hopes the results of this latest study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, will help to develop the virus for clinical use.
Working with researchers from Japan's Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, the group used cryo-electron microscopy to capture thousands of images of the virus bound to its receptors, using a high-resolution structure of the complex.
The structure demonstrates how SVV discriminates between its preferred receptors (cancer cells) and other similar proteins (healthy tissue).
"Dr. Bostina says," We can see exactly how the virus breaks into the cancer cells, while leaving other cells untouched.
The virus is a strong contender for effective virotherapy because it selectively targets a receptor found in more than 60 percent of human cancers.
The receptor, a protein called ANTXR1, is expressed on tumors, but it has a cousin, ANTXR2, which only appears on healthy tissues. SVV does not bind with the similar receptor on healthy cells – it only shows strong affinity for ANTXR1.
SVV has already demonstrated its cancer-fighting abilities in clinical trials, but there is one problem – the body builds up immunity to the virus within a couple of weeks.
"This structure teaches us which part of the virus is essential for binding to the receptor, and which is not so important. The rest of the virus can escape the attack of the immune system, "Dr. Bostina says.
Lead author and Otago PhD candidate Nadishka Jayawardena says he has "always been intrigued" by how naturally occurring micro-organisms can be used for human benefit.
"Being able to work on a virus that can kill cancer is very rewarding, especially when it comes to global health issue," he says.
Dr. Bostina believes this study showcases the high quality of work being done at OMNI and hopes it will encourage the future funding of more challenging structural projects.
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