Gene discovery by HKU team of researchers could lead to hand, foot and mouth treatment breakthrough
But researchers say drug for common disease could still be about 10 years away
A study led by the University of Hong Kong has discovered a gene key to viral infections that could lead to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), shedding light on the development of a specific treatment for the illness.
But researchers said it could take about another 10 years to develop the drug.
Led by the university’s top microbiologist, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, the study identified that a gene named hWARS – found in every human cell – was the receptor for enterovirus-A71 (EV-A71) to enter a cell and thus inflict damage. In general, without a specific receptor, a virus cannot enter a cell.
Yuen said in the past hWARS was merely seen as an ordinary gene. “We didn’t think that it was linked to viral infection,” he added.
When there is a viral infection, a specific type of protein is naturally produced by the human body. The researchers also found that this protein production creates a more favourable condition for the virus to enter cells.