For the first time, Swiss researchers have determined the docking protein of the distemper virus, which is deadly for dogs. According to the researchers, this laid the foundation for the development of a drug against the distemper virus. The approach can also be used to combat the similar measles virus.
A tailor-made active ingredient could specifically block the docking protein and thus prevent the virus from penetrating the host cell, according to a statement from the University of Bern on Wednesday.
Human measles virus and canine distemper virus (CDV) are closely related. They both belong to the genus Morbillivirus. These are highly contagious RNA viruses that are surrounded by an envelope on which their docking proteins protrude – similar to the spike protein in the corona virus. Both viruses infiltrate cells using the same mechanism. A drug that blocks the docking protein can therefore be effective against both measles and distemper.
Although a vaccine against measles is available, more than 100,000 people still die from it every year. According to the researchers, an antiviral drug could be a good addition. Also with CDV, drugs would support the treatment of infected endangered species in captivity, for example pandas. To date, no such drug against morbilliviruses has been approved.
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Bern and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and published in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science” (Pnas). To determine the docking protein, the researchers cooled the virus samples to minus 180 degrees Celsius and enlarged them 100,000 times using an electron microscope.