New drug target developed that can help fight against Ebola virus

Researchers have recently developed a new drug target in the Ebola virus that could be used against it to fight the disease.

University of Utah biochemists have produced a molecule, known as a peptide mimic that displays a functionally critical region of the virus that is universally conserved in all known species of Ebola. This new tool could be used as a drug target in the discovery of anti-Ebola agents that are effective against all known strains and likely future strains.

The scientists designed peptide mimics of a highly conserved region in the Ebola protein that controls entry of the virus into the human host cell, initiating infection. They were able to demonstrate this peptide target was suitable for use in high-throughput drug screens. These kinds of screens allow rapid identification of potential new drugs from billions of possible candidates.

Debra Eckert, Ph.D., said that although the current push of clinical trials would hopefully lead to an effective treatment for the Zaire species causing the present epidemic, the same treatments are unlikely to be effective against future outbreaks of a different or new Ebola species.

Development of a broadly acting therapy is an important long-term goal that would allow cost-effective stockpiling of a universal Ebola treatment, she further added.

The study is published in online edition of Protein Science.