Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 22, 2025 2 hours, 23 minutes ago
Medical News: A New Line of Defense Against Viruses
Scientists from Fudan University, Guangzhou Customs Technology Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Hainan University, and other leading Chinese research institutions have discovered that a human protein called DAZAP2 plays a powerful role in stopping coronavirus infections. This
Medical News report explains how this protein can prevent the virus from successfully entering cells and from multiplying its genetic material once inside.
Human Protein DAZAP2 Found to Block Coronavirus Infection
How DAZAP2 Works
Through a large-scale CRISPR genetic screening, researchers identified DAZAP2 as one of the strongest natural antiviral factors in humans. They found that DAZAP2 stops coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, from merging with the cell membranes needed for infection. Normally, viruses enter cells through two main routes—endosomal pathways or direct fusion with the cell surface. DAZAP2 disrupts both of these routes, making it extremely difficult for the virus to release its genetic material into the host cell.
But that is not all. The team also showed that DAZAP2 blocks the replication of viral RNA once it gets inside. Interestingly, the protein does not interfere with the initial translation of viral proteins, but it strongly reduces how efficiently the virus can copy its genome and spread. This makes DAZAP2 a rare “dual-action” defender against viral invasion and viral growth.
Effective Against Many Coronaviruses
The most striking finding is that DAZAP2 is not limited to SARS-CoV-2. Tests showed that it restricts multiple human and animal coronaviruses from all four genera of the coronavirus family. These include common cold viruses, dangerous ones like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, and even animal viruses that could potentially jump to humans in the future. By knocking out DAZAP2, infections increased sharply, while adding extra DAZAP2 reduced infections across different virus strains. This indicates that the protein is a “pan-coronavirus restriction factor”.
Proof in Mice and Human Cells
To prove its real-world importance, the scientists used genetically engineered mice lacking DAZAP2. These mice showed much higher viral loads in their lungs when infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to normal mice. Similarly, in laboratory-grown human airway cells, removal of DAZAP2 led to much stronger viral replication, especially in bronchial cells of the lower respiratory tract. This confirms DAZAP2’s protective role in both animals and humans.
Why This Matters
These results are significant because they reveal a natural human defense that works across different coronaviruses. Instead of targeting the virus directly, treatments could one day be developed to enhance or mimic DAZAP2, boosting the body’s own abilit
y to fight not just COVID-19 but also other coronavirus threats. Since DAZAP2 mainly operates in the nucleus and seems to regulate host gene expression, future research may identify specific pathways that can be safely adjusted to increase protection.
Final Thoughts
The discovery of DAZAP2 as a broad-spectrum coronavirus blocker is an important milestone. It demonstrates that our bodies carry hidden layers of defense that science is only beginning to uncover. By targeting host factors like DAZAP2, researchers may pave the way for new treatments that are less vulnerable to viral mutations. This could be vital in preparing for future pandemics and protecting vulnerable populations worldwide.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: mBio.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00385-25
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