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Enzyme structure offers new hopes for better antivirals

Research

The structure of a cellular enzyme that is crucial for the survival of many pathogenic viruses has been solved in a new study.

Crystal structure of the mouse α-glucosidase II enzyme

Nicole Zitzmann in the Department of Biochemistry and members of her team, together with colleagues from Italy and France, have published their findings in PNAS. Their work on the enzyme, a key component of the quality control machinery that ensures that glycoproteins fold properly, opens the way for the development of potent and selective antivirals against a range of deadly diseases.

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