Hyderabad-Based CCMB Scientists discover ‘Sticky’ Plant Defence Mechanism against Viruses
Hyderabad, May 13 (TNT): Researchers at Hyderabad-based CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology have uncovered a crucial plant defence mechanism in which plants use liquid-like sticky protein droplets to trap and disable invading viruses, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The study, led by scientist Mandar V. Deshmukh, explains at the molecular level how RNA-binding proteins in plants identify viral double-stranded RNA and halt the replication process by targeting Viral Replication Complexes, the Centre said in a release here on Wednesday.
Using advanced techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, the researchers discovered that these RNA-binding proteins contain uniquely distributed electric charges on their surfaces, creating sticky patches that attract and bind with one another to form dense gel-like droplets.
“These proteins act like a molecular glue,” said Dr. Jaydeep Paul, the first author of the study.
“By forming these dense, gel-like droplets, the plant cells effectively trap the viral RNA, preventing it from interacting with the machinery needed for replication.”
The researchers said these biomolecular condensates represent a changing understanding of how living cells function, moving beyond the traditional view of static membrane-bound compartments to a more dynamic environment where membraneless organelles form like oil droplets in water.
According to Dr. Deshmukh, the findings could help scientists develop crop varieties with enhanced natural immunity against viral diseases that cause major agricultural losses worldwide.
The study may also have implications in medical biotechnology, including potential applications in dissolving neurotoxic protein clumps linked to dementia and breaking down protective liquid barriers around tumours.
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