A team of U.S. researchers has uncovered a key mechanism that the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses to protect itself as it replicates and spreads within the human body. This mechanism plays a vital role in the virus&rsquo;s ability to infect more cells effectively.
Scientists from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Chicago discovered that without this protective strategy, the virus's ability to infect is significantly weakened. The findings, published in Nature Communications, highlight a promising target for future COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, and antiviral drug development.
The research focuses on a viral protein called ORF3a, previously identified as central to SARS-CoV-2&rsquo;s pathogenicity. The team found that ORF3a facilitates the creation of tightly packed clusters of proteins&mdash;nicknamed &ldquo;3a dense bodies&rdquo; or 3DBs&mdash;which act like a shield around the virus&rsquo;s spike protein.
This shielding mechanism is crucial: it prevents the spike protein from being broken down into smaller, less functional pieces during its journey, preserving its ability to infect new cells.
Without ORF3a, these 3DBs do not form, resulting in damaged spike proteins and severely reduced infectivity of the virus.
&ldquo;ORF3a could be an excellent target for developing drugs to block the virus&rsquo;s function,&rdquo; said Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido of Texas Biomed. He added that this discovery could also significantly advance the design of future COVID-19 vaccines. Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.

Study uncovers how SARS-CoV-2 protects its spike protein using ORF3a, offering new treatment targets

COVID-19 Virus Shields Itself with ORF3a Protein

Study uncovers how SARS-CoV-2 protects its spike protein using ORF3a, offering new treatment targets

June 6, 2025 | 20:47 IST