Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 17, 2025 2 hours, 46 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from Mercer University School of Medicine, Purdue University–Fort Wayne, and the University of Alabama have uncovered an important breakthrough that could change how doctors treat infections caused by the Varicella-zoster virus, the pathogen responsible for chickenpox and shingles. Their latest work reveals how a group of small molecule compounds can stop the virus from multiplying by blocking a critical step in its life cycle, and this
Medical News report highlights why the discovery is generating excitement among experts.
New VZV Blocker Shows Strong Potential to Halt Shingles Spread
Understanding How Shingles Spreads in The Body
Varicella-zoster virus becomes active in two phases. First, it causes chickenpox during initial infection. Later in life, especially when immunity declines, it can reactivate and lead to shingles, a painful blistering condition that may be followed by long-lasting nerve pain. Although antiviral drugs exist, many depend on the viral thymidine kinase enzyme for activation. When the virus mutates this enzyme, current treatments may fail, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
A New Strategy That Targets the Viral Portal System
The study focused on the VZV “portal protein,” known as pORF54, which functions like a gate through which the virus packages its DNA into the capsid before forming mature infectious particles. The researchers discovered that a special chemical group called α-methylbenzyl thiourea compounds can interfere with this process. When present during infection, these molecules cause viral capsids to form without DNA inside them, meaning the virus cannot complete its assembly.
To better understand how resistance might develop, scientists repeatedly exposed the virus to one of the compounds, known as Compound I, and isolated four resistant strains. Genetic testing revealed that all resistance mutations clustered around the portal–capsid interface, a region essential for the structural changes that allow DNA to be loaded into the viral shell. Because these mutations were difficult to generate, it suggests the virus has a high barrier to resistance, which is promising for future drug development.
Key Findings from The Structural Studies
Using detailed genetic engineering, the team showed that changing just one amino acid within the portal structure could affect how well the compound worked. Some changes made the virus highly resistant, while others made it unusually sensitive. This revealed exactly which positions in the portal region are most important for drug action. Importantly, the compounds did not stop the portal protein from joining the capsid; instead, they prevented the major shape-shift required to package viral DNA.
Conclusions
This research points to a new and much-needed class of antiviral drugs that does not rely on the viral thymidine kinase enzyme and could therefore help patients whose infections no longer respond to current treatments. By bloc
king a physical step in the virus assembly process, these compounds represent a powerful and highly targeted strategy. With further development, they may provide safer and more effective treatment options for chickenpox, shingles, and severe VZV complications.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/11/1496
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/curcumin-shows-promise-in-treating-shingles-and-neurological-disorders
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