Research on pathogen recognition and evasion of EB virus

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15449
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49060:Virology-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Takahiro 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (10624398)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: EBV / 自然免疫 / STING / cGAS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes approximately 200,000 new cancer cases annually worldwide. In this study, we found that viral membrane fusion proteins suppress innate immune responses by binding to the innate immune molecule STING. Additionally, we discovered a molecular mechanism for suppressing STING multimerization via cleavage of membrane fusion proteins. Moreover, preliminary studies have revealed similarities between EBV and other envelope viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では膜融合タンパク質に秘める免疫抑制機序について解明することによって広域抗ウイルス薬の開発につなげる知見を提供し、自然免疫応答のon/offを運命づける普遍的な現象の発見に繋がる。