CCMB researchers discover protein mechanism that helps human cells fight viral infections

Researchers at Hyderabad's CSIR-CCMB have identified DZIP3, a protein that detects viral RNA and activates immune defences. Published in The EMBO Journal, the study reports protection against viruses and could inform development of therapies to strengthen the body's antiviral immunity.

Hyderabad: A group of researchers from Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, have discovered a critical mechanism that human cells use to detect and fight viral infections.

The study led by Senior Principal Scientist, Dr Santosh Chouhan and his group at CCMB, published in the prestigious EMBO Journal, identifies a dual-action protein that acts as an early warning sensor and activator for the body’s immune system.

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When a virus invades a cell, the host must quickly spot the intruder and sound the alarm before the virus multiplies. About seven years ago, Dr. Chauhan’s group had hypothesized that a specialized group of human proteins could serve a dual role of directly detecting viral genetic material and immediately tagging key cellular proteins to sound the immune alarm.

In the new study, the team has discovered that a protein called DZIP3 fulfills exactly this role. When DZIP3 detects viral RNA inside a cell, it changes its shape to turn itself on. Once activated, it moves to the cell’s energy factories, the mitochondria, where it tags and activates the major immune defense proteins, triggering a powerful immune response, unleashing defensive molecules known as TypeI interferons to block the virus from multiplying.

The team demonstrated that this newly discovered pathway provides broad protection against several disease-causing viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Chikungunya, and Japanese Encephalitis.

Building on this discovery, Dr. Chauhan’s team is now developing small-molecule drug candidates to target and boost DZIP3 activity, aiming to artificially enhance the body’s natural antiviral immunity.