SARS-CoV-2 Uses Human Topoisomerase I to Multiply Faster, Berberine Inhibits This
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 09, 2025 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
Medical News: New research finds virus exploits key human enzyme to aid its replication
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Siegen in Germany and the Luxembourg Institute of Health has uncovered how the SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks a crucial human enzyme called Human Topoisomerase I to enhance its replication inside the human body. This
Medical News report reveals a previously unknown viral tactic that could help scientists find new ways to fight COVID-19 and other viral infections.
New study shows SARS-CoV-2 hijacks Human Topoisomerase I to boost replication while berberine
may help block this viral mechanism
How the Virus Recruits Human Topoisomerase I
The SARS-CoV-2 virus contains a genetic structure known as a G-quadruplex within its RNA. This structure acts like a molecular trap, attracting proteins from the host cell. The research team discovered that this viral G-quadruplex can recruit Human Topoisomerase I (TOP1), a critical enzyme normally involved in controlling DNA and RNA structure during essential cellular functions like transcription, DNA replication, and repair. TOP1 typically helps cells manage the coiling of DNA strands by cutting and rejoining one strand to relieve stress. This process is vital for cells to function and survive. However, the virus appears to exploit TOP1 to unravel its own RNA structures, making it easier for the virus to replicate.
Berberine May Block the Viral Mechanism
The researchers also tested several compounds to interfere with the virus’s use of TOP1. They found that berberine, a natural alkaloid compound, was able to stabilize the interaction between TOP1 and the viral RNA in a way that may prevent it from helping the virus replicate. This opens the door to future antiviral drugs based on berberine or similar compounds.
Understanding the Role of Human Topoisomerase I
Human Topoisomerase I is essential for many vital processes. It regulates DNA tension during replication and gene expression, helps with DNA repair, and is even linked to HIV replication. It's also a major target in cancer treatments, especially for drugs like camptothecins. Because of its broad role, targeting how viruses exploit TOP1 may offer new paths for treating not only COVID-19, but other diseases too.
Conclusions and Future Directions
This discovery adds an important piece to our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 invades and manipulates the human body. By using Human Topoisomerase I, the virus gains an advantage in multiplying more efficiently. The potential to block this interaction with natural compounds like berberine could lead to novel antiviral strategies. Given TOP1's role in many biological processes, this finding could have implications beyond COVID-19.
The study findings were published as an abstract in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in RNA Research
https://www.fr
ontiersin.org/journals/rna-research/articles/10.3389/frnar.2025.1722301/abstract
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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