A group of scientists has found a target for a drug that can treat SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) and other coronaviruses, reported news agency PTI. The researchers, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the US, had earlier mapped the structure of a virus protein called nsp16, which is present in all coronaviruses.

Also read: Explained | How Delta variant’s symptoms differ from other COVID strains

Their latest study was published in the journal Science Signaling.

What have the scientists discovered?

They’ve mapped three new protein structures in three-dimensional views. They’ve found out a secret identifier in the machinery that helps the virus hide from the immune system, the news agency reported.

They found a coronavirus-specific pocket in the nsp16 protein that binds the virus-genomic fragment held in place by a metal ion. Coronaviruses use the fragment to bind the virus-genomic fragment held in place by a metal ion.

Also read: Japan to impose COVID emergency in Tokyo during Olympics: Reports

The researchers said that there is potential to make a drug to fit this unique pocket that would block the function of this protein from the coronavirus.

However, the drug will not block a similar protein from human cells that lack the pocket, they said, adding that the drug would target only the invader protein.

Nsp16 is considered as one of the key viral proteins that a drug could inhibit to stop the virus shortly after a person gets exposed.

The goal is to stop the virus early before the person gets too sick, the researchers said. 

Also read: How soft drinks, juice are helping kids fake a COVID positive test in UK

They are collaborating with chemists who will use the information to design drugs against the protein.

Nsp16 and coronavirus

Although proteins in different coronaviruses differ a lot, the protein nsp16 is nearly the same across most of them, the researchers said, reported PTI.

The unique pocket which the researchers have found is present in all the different coronaviruses. This means that the drug that would fit into the unique pocket would work against all coronaviruses. 

Also read: 13,000 UK women say COVID vaccine changed periods, experts say not linked

The researchers envision any drug developed based on their findings would be part of a treatment cocktail given to patients during the onset of the disease.

This cocktail could include drugs similar to Remdesivir, that prevents the virus from producing the template for the building blocks that is necessary for it to replicate itself, the researchers added.