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protein identified
A new mouse study published in mBio has revealed that the Ebola virus is unable to infect
cells without first attaching to a host protein called Niemann-Pick C1.
Mice who did not have the NPC1 protein were found by the researchers to be completely resistant to
Ebola infection.
The NPC1 protein is located within cell membranes where its role is to assist
transportation of cholesterol within the cell. Individuals who do not have enough NPC1
develop a fatal disorder known as Niemann-Pick disease that causes cells to become
full with too much cholesterol and die.
just by Ebola, but also by other highly virulent filoviruses, which also require NPC1 as a
receptor," Dr. Chandran concludes.
Previously, Medical News Today reported on calls from health experts for the creation of
a global research and development fund to reach solutions to global health crises
such as the Ebola outbreak and the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.