Scientists in Japan have gained a better understanding how influenza viruses replicate, possibly opening the way for the development of drugs to hamper their reproduction.
In the latest issue of Nature, the researchers described how they zeroed in on an enzyme that flu viruses need to replicate, and managed to capture a snapshot of the enzyme.
Enzymes in influenza viruses are made up of three proteins bound tightly together.
"Scientists have been trying to study its (enzyme's) structure and no one has yet got a detailed picture of the whole thing," said Yokohama City University's Jeremy Tame, a member of the research team.
But the team managed to crystallize the proteins and get a peek at part of the structure, which involves the tip of one of the proteins coming into contact with another protein.
"This gives us some hope that we can interrupt this interface (contact point)," Tame said.
Such an interruption would "kill the virus, or slow it down sufficiently", he added.
All influenza A viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu virus, are believed to have similar structures. Theoretically, one drug could fight all of them.
"We would like to start work. We're hopeful that will lead to efforts to work on completely novel drugs," Tame said.
News
Russia and Ukraine agree to temporary Orthodox Easter truce
In the Orthodox calendar, Easter falls one week after the date celebrated in western Europe.
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
It follows an earlier open letter addressed to King Charles, calling upon him to defend Christianity in line with his titles of Supreme Governor of the Church of England and "Defender of the Faith".
Fundraising Regulator reminds churches that collections are subject to code of practice
Churches can breach the code even when acting in good faith.
Religion is often left unspoken in the workplace despite widespread faith identity, research finds
Fifteen per cent of UK employees with a faith say they have experienced religious discrimination in the workplace.