Combating Mosquito Transmitted Viruses: New Drug Targets Identified

Novel drug target identification might help combat several other mosquito-transmitted flaviviruses.

Highlights:

Several viral diseases are transmitted via mosquitoes that act as transmitters or vectors which transfer lethal viruses inside human hosts
Human enzymes that are required by these viruses for further replication inside human body were identified
Future drugs that targets these enzymes can help in stopping vector-borne diseases

Latest research offers an insight into new drug targets that could prevent diseases caused by viruses which are predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes.

These vector borne diseases can be caused by either parasites, bacteria or viruses. Malaria and Dengue are among the predominant vector borne diseases caused by mosquitoes that affect an estimated 219 million and 96 million symptomatic individuals respectively annually.

Other viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes vectors include Chikungunya, Zika fever, Yellow fever, West Nile fever and Japanese encephalitis.

The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical countries and time and again, several outbreaks have claimed lives, and overwhelmed health systems in many countries ().

Mosquito Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

‘Did you know that mosquito-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases? #drugtarget #mosquitotransmittedinfections’

Research Highlights: New Drug Targets Identified

The research, published recently in the journal Cell Host and Microbe, has unveiled a previously unknown target for antiviral drug development. Direct targeting of essential viral enzymes has long been a major strategy of antiviral drug design. Although researchers have been previously successful in targeting several viral enzymes, targeting viral helicases has been very difficult to achieve, demanding alternative strategies.

The study has provided a molecular insight into how these group of viral enzymes known as Helicases can be targeted by mediating by a specific isoform of the host (human) enzyme known as KAT5.

The KAT5 enzyme plays a critical role in the virus replication and being able to target it is the key first step in being able to design drugs to stop viral replication and treat infection ().

Molecular Fingerprinting of Zika Infected Cells Reveal New Drug Targets
The proteins and the genes expressed in Zika infection of neural cells are revealed in a new study with possible targets for drug therapy.

Benefits of the Study: What Have We Gained?

The study has paved way for developing new drug treatments for these viral infections
We are now a a step closer to understanding and treating mosquito-transmitted pathogens, which are a global threat to the human population
Antiviral drug resistance: Viruses mutate so rapidly that developing medicines against them lose their potential over time. This is known as Anti-viral resistance. The new target identified are human enzymes which are basically protein. The do not undergo any significant mutation over time
The study suggests that creating novel drugs targeting the human KAT5 enzyme might help target several other mosquito-transmitted flaviviruses
Since currently no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is available for the viral infection caused by mosquito borne transmission, the current drug target offers a novel breakthrough in preventing virus borne infections caused predominantly by flaviviruses

Drug Targets To Fight Disease Resistant Malaria
Two enzymes that are crucial for the disease transmission of malarial parasite could be the new drug targets for malaria.

Other Strategies to Prevent Vector Borne Infections

Personal Protection:
This warrants the use of protective clothing, nets and application of mosquito repellant creams
Insecticides:
Several insecticidal compounds have been advocated for indoor and outdoor use
Environmental management:
Removal of mosquito breeding sites, Fogging and prevention of any collection of water that could serve as site for mosquito breeding is important
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS):
account for most of the reductions in malaria
Recent advances:
Larvicides, bio insecticides and technologies for improving the incorporation of insecticides and repellents into clothing and other materials

If control and elimination targets for malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are to be met, vector control interventions need to play a major role ().

References:

Vector-borne diseases - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases)
Acetylation of the NS3 helicase by KAT5γ is essential for flavivirus replication - (https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(23)00264-0)
Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases - (https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2019.0802)

Source-Medindia

Waterborne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.