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Researchers: New protein discovery could lead to better treatment for viral infections

Infection Control Monitor, August 26, 2005

A protein known to be vital to the immune system's ability to fight off viral infections has also been found in an unexpected location within the cell, causing researchers to rethink previous beliefs about how the immune system works.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center say these findings may lead to new therapies for treating such viral diseases as the flu, hepatitis, West Nile virus, and SARS.

The protein, which is made from a gene called MAVS, is located in the membrane of the organelle called the mitochondrion, which generates energy for everyday life.

When researchers modified normal cells so that they did not produce the MAVS protein, they noted that the cells became highly vulnerable to infection. Cells altered to produce an excess of MAVS were better protected against viral infection.

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