Mapping the Deadly Spike Protein
A fatal cruise ship outbreak last April brought renewed urgency to an elusive threat. Now, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have exposed precisely how the Andes virus attacks human cells, uncovering the molecular mechanics of an infection strain that stands alone in its ability to spread directly between people through close and prolonged contact.
Published in the scientific journal Nature and detailed by RaiNews, the findings reveal how the pathogen enters human cells, offering a roadmap for targeted treatments and vaccines where none currently exist.
Inside the Pcdh1 Cellular Gateway
The Andes virus belongs to the hantavirus family, a group comprising more than 20 known strains that cause human disease.
Earlier research coordinated by Kartik Chandran established that the virus uses a surface spike protein to latch onto a human cell receptor known as Pcdh1, which acts as a gateway for the infection. New imaging of the earliest infection stages shows that the Pcdh1 receptor inserts itself directly into the core of the viral spike protein, binding deep inside a narrow and tight cavity.
The Ingenious Square Attack
Researchers described this invasion process as an ingenious square attack. The structural configuration allows the virus to successfully breach cellular defenses.
By examining antibodies isolated from human patients, the research team found that certain antibodies attach near the entrance of the spike protein’s cavity to block binding, but fail to penetrate deeply enough to neutralize the pathogen. This defensive strategy shields the virus from immune responses.
Targeting Vulnerabilities for New Therapies
However, this structural configuration also exposes a vulnerability. Investigators intend to use the mapping data to design new molecules that are thin and long enough to slip into the spike protein’s pocket in place of the Pcdh1 receptor.
Currently, no specific treatments exist for Andes virus infections, making the new structural insights critical for future therapeutic development.