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Tiny protein offers major insight into foot-and-mouth virus

Date:
October 3, 2017
Source:
University of Leeds
Summary:
Scientists have identified that a tiny protein, which plays a major role in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, demonstrates a greater level of genetic economy than previously reported.
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Scientists have identified that a tiny protein, which plays a major role in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, demonstrates a greater level of genetic economy than previously reported.

Lead researcher Professor Nicola Stonehouse, from the University of Leeds' Faculty of Biological Sciences, said: "Sometimes it's the little things that can make the big differences. By understanding the role of this tiny viral protein in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus, we're hoping to find more effective vaccines that fight the disease."

Researchers from the University of Leeds and The Pirbright Institute identified a new role for a small viral protein -- called 3B3 -- revealing how these viruses can copy themselves efficiently. Foot-and-mouth disease is of great economic importance and their findings could lead to the development of more effective vaccines against the disease in the future.


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Materials provided by University of Leeds. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Morgan R. Herod, Sarah Gold, Lidia Lasecka-Dykes, Caroline Wright, Joseph C. Ward, Thomas C. McLean, Sophie Forrest, Terry Jackson, Tobias J. Tuthill, David J. Rowlands, Nicola J. Stonehouse. Genetic economy in picornaviruses: Foot-and-mouth disease virus replication exploits alternative precursor cleavage pathways. PLOS Pathogens, 2017; 13 (10): e1006666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006666

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University of Leeds. "Tiny protein offers major insight into foot-and-mouth virus." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 October 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171003111113.htm>.
University of Leeds. (2017, October 3). Tiny protein offers major insight into foot-and-mouth virus. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 15, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171003111113.htm
University of Leeds. "Tiny protein offers major insight into foot-and-mouth virus." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171003111113.htm (accessed October 15, 2024).

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