In an unprecedented study, scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have made a new discovery that could transform malaria and COVID-19 treatment.

The team from JNU’s Special Center for Molecular Medicine identified a human protein, HSP70, as a key factor in the spread of diseases like malaria and COVID-19.

Working with Russian and Indian researchers, they have also developed a small molecule inhibitor of Hsp70 that could act as a broad-spectrum treatment for multiple infections.

Hsp70 (heat shock protein 70) is a type of molecular chaperone, a protein that plays an important role in helping other proteins fold into their proper shape and preventing misfolding.

The research, led by Professors Anand Ranganathan and Shailja Singh of JNU’s Special Center for Molecular Medicine, shows that targeting HSP70 could help prevent drug resistance, a growing problem in the treatment of infections. Their findings have been published in the prestigious International Journal for Biological Macromolecules.

The team found that Hsp70 interacts with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for COVID-19—and human ACE2 receptors, which the virus uses to enter cells. They hypothesized that during fever, HSP70 levels increase and help stabilize this interaction, making it easier for the virus to infect cells. By inhibiting Hsp70, they successfully blocked viral replication in laboratory tests.

Professor Singh explained, “Pathogens like malaria parasites or SARS-CoV-2 use the host’s machinery to survive. By targeting Hsp70, we can disrupt their ability to replicate and protect themselves from the immune system. Are.” The team tested the Hsp70 inhibitor, PES-Cl, on SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and observed complete viral inhibition at low doses.

This host-targeting approach has significant advantages. Unlike traditional drugs that target the virus itself, host-targeted antivirals are less likely to encounter resistance because the virus cannot mutate host proteins. This method could be particularly effective against rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and its variants like Omicron.

Highlighting the urgency of the research, Professor Ranganathan said, “The world may have moved on from COVID-19, but as scientists, we must remain vigilant. Our discovery can help us prepare for future pandemics. Is.”

Other contributors to the study, including Dr. Pramod Garg of AIIMS and Ph.D. Are included. Scholar Prerna Joshi stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling global health challenges. “This research may provide a universal tool for the management of infectious diseases during emergencies,” Joshi said.

The team’s efforts demonstrate the important role of science in pandemic preparedness and highlight the potential for innovative solutions to global health crises.