Washington: Washington State University (WSU) researchers have found a way to prevent herpes viruses from entering human cells by targeting a single weak point in a key viral protein. The interdisciplinary team, using artificial intelligence (AI) and molecular simulations, identified one amino acid within the herpes virus' fusion protein that is essential for the virus to merge with and infect host cells.

According to Anadolu Agency, the study was spearheaded by Jin Liu, a professor in WSU's School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, who explained that viruses are complex entities with numerous interactions, but some of these interactions are critical. Liu, along with colleague Prashanta Dutta, developed an algorithm capable of simulating thousands of amino acid interactions. They employed machine learning to determine which interactions were most significant.

After identifying the crucial amino acid, laboratory experiments led by Anthony Nicola from WSU's Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology revealed that altering this single component effectively blocked the virus from entering host cells. Liu noted that identifying this critical interaction from among thousands through trial and error would have been a lengthy process.

The implications of these findings are significant, suggesting a potential pathway for developing new antiviral therapies that can disable viruses before they infect cells. Researchers are now focused on understanding how this minor mutation impacts the overall structure of the viral fusion protein.

Liu emphasized that the next step in their research is to explore how this small interaction influences larger-scale structural changes within the virus. The study, which involved PhD students Ryan Odstrcil, Albina Makio, and McKenna Hull, received funding from the National Institutes of Health.