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Restoring DNASEs antiviral potential

Project description

Understanding the mechanisms underlying viral infections’ lowering of DNase levels

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 67 % of people globally under the age of 50 have a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, the main cause of oral herpes and a cause of genital herpes. DNA nucleases (DNases) are enzymes that degrade DNA. Theoretically, host DNases can degrade the HSV-1 DNA (genome). With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the REDAVIP project will further investigate its preliminary finding that HSV-1 infection lowers the levels of the DNASE2B protein. Specifically, the project will attempt to restore the DNase’s anti-viral capacity by understanding the mechanisms underlying HSV-1’s effect on DNase levels and then screening drugs to restore them.

Objective

Every individual carries at least a herpesvirus causing mild to serious diseases without definitive cure. Although in theory, herpesvirus genomes can be degraded by host DNA nucleases (DNASEs), the ER preliminary data has evidenced DNASE2B protein levels to decrease upon herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection. In order to restore DNASEs anti-viral potential, REDAVIP aims to 1) uncover the susceptibility of DNASEs to HSV-1, 2) gain mechanistic insights of HSV-1 proteins and DNASEs interaction, and 3) screen drugs restoring host DNASEs so the vDNA can be cleared from the organism. To do so, REDAVIP will assess DNASEs’ endogenous levels upon infection by immunoblot and enrich them with immunoprecipitation to identify interacting viral protein(s) by mass spectrometry collaborating internationally. Afterwards, their minimal interacting surfaces will be determined and disrupted with in silico drug library screens collaborating internationally. Then, a tripartite fluorescence complementation assay will confirm the disruption of this pathogenic interaction in cellula. Candidate compounds restoring the DNASEs ability of degrading vDNA will be validated by plaque assays for IP protection, since they may represent a first step towards an overdue cure against herpesviral infections and life quality improvement, especially for an ageing population. Given the ambitious and novel objectives, the ER applies her multidisciplinary expertise to propose mitigation strategies that will ensure experimental feasibility and multiple outputs. This work will allow the ER to transfer her knowledge acquired through European laboratories to the acceptor institution, and progress from basic to translational research to learn and ensure a revenue of invested funds. The findings will be broadly disseminated to improve the ER soft skills. Uncovering how host DNASEs are impaired during herpesvirus infection using HSV-1 as a model is an asset to find novel antivirals against further viruses.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD MIGUEL HERNANDEZ DE ELCHE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 181 152,96
Address
AVENIDA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD S-N
03202 ELCHE
Spain

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Region
Este Comunitat Valenciana Alicante/Alacant
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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