Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 04, 2025 6 hours, 31 minutes ago
Medical News: A surprising discovery about the coronavirus nucleocapsid protein
Scientists from Jilin University in China and Shandong University have uncovered a hidden trick used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Their new research shows that the virus’s nucleocapsid protein—one of its most abundant building blocks—can halt human cells in a crucial stage of division known as the S-phase. This finding adds yet another layer to our understanding of how the virus disrupts the human body. According to this
Medical News report, the viral protein does not kill the cells outright but instead slows their growth and prevents them from multiplying normally.
SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Blocks Human Cells from Dividing Normally
How the protein locks cells in S-phase
The study revealed that the nucleocapsid protein pushes cells to enter the S-phase, the stage where DNA is copied, but then blocks them from moving forward. As a result, cells are trapped in limbo—unable to finish their normal cycle. This was observed in several types of human cells, including liver, lung, and cervical cancer cell lines. The effect was also dose-dependent: higher amounts of the protein created stronger blockage. Interestingly, the earlier SARS virus showed a similar ability, suggesting this is a shared strategy among coronaviruses.
What makes this protein so powerful
The nucleocapsid protein is not just a simple shell for the virus. It is made up of different regions, each with specific roles. The researchers discovered that cutting away parts such as the N-arm, the SR-rich region, the CTD, or the C-tail stopped the protein from halting cell growth. Only the N-terminal domain seemed less important for this effect. This shows that several parts of the protein work together to freeze cells in the S-phase and stop them from multiplying.
Not death but slowed growth
While many viruses kill host cells, this study showed that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein does not directly trigger cell death. Instead, it stalls the cell cycle and reduces the number of cells able to grow and divide. This strategy may help the virus, because keeping cells alive but inactive creates a controlled environment where viral replication can continue without interruption. It also suggests that the protein could be linked to long-term effects of COVID-19, such as tissue damage and persistent symptoms.
Why this matters
The findings highlight how complex the virus’s strategies really are. By targeting a stage as vital as the S-phase, the nucleocapsid protein ensures both survival of the virus and disruption of the host. Understanding this mechanism opens the door to potential treatments that block the protein’s activity, possibly restoring normal cell growth and reducing viral spread. As one of the most abundant proteins in SARS-CoV-2, it could also become a valuable target for new drugs or diagnostics.
Conclusion<
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This study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is more than a structural piece of the virus—it actively sabotages human cell division by trapping cells in S-phase. Instead of killing them, it slows their growth, creating a supportive environment for viral survival. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of COVID-19 but also points to new possibilities for therapies that target this protein. Considering that long-term cell disruption is often linked to chronic disease, the work underscores why SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose serious health risks even years after infection.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed: International Journal of Medical Microbiology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S143842212500027X
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-nucleocapsid-protein-affects-cellular-defense-by-targeting-the-nonsense-mediated-mrna-decay-nmd-pathway
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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