In silico analysis suggests interaction between Ebola virus and the extracellular matrix.
The worst Ebola virus (EV) outbreak in history has hit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea hardest and the trend lines in this crisis are grave, and now represents a global public health threat concern. Limited therapeutic and/or prophylactic options are available for people suffering from Ebola virus disease (EVD) and further complicate the situation. Previous studies suggested that the EV glycoprotein (GP) is the main determinant causing structural damage of endothelial cells that triggers the hemorrhagic diathesis, but molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remains elusive. Using the informational spectrum method (ISM), a virtual spectroscopy method for analysis of the protein-protein interactions, the interaction of GP with endothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) was investigated. Presented results of this in silico study suggest that Elastin Microfibril Interface Located Proteins (EMILINs) are involved in interaction between GP and ECM. This finding could contribute to a better understanding of EV/endothelium interaction and its role in pathogenesis, prevention and therapy of EVD.
Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia.
Veljko
V
Veljkovic
Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia.
Sanja
S
Glisic
Luxembourg Institute of Health (former Centre de Recherche Public de la Santé)/Laboratoire National de Santé Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Claude P
CP
Muller
Department of Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University Scottsdale, AZ, USA ; Center for Environmental Security, Biodesign Institute and Security and Defense Systems Initiative, Arizona State University Tempe, AZ, USA.
Matthew
M
Scotch
Canadian Blood Services, Center for Innovation Toronto, ON, Canada.
Donald R
DR
Branch
Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia.
Vladimir R
VR
Perovic
Innovation Center of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia.
Milan
M
Sencanski
Center for Multidisciplinary Research, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia.
Nevena
N
Veljkovic
Divisione di Oncologia Sperimentale, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico CRO-IRCCS Aviano, Italy.
Alfonso
A
Colombatti
EMILINs; Ebola virus; endothelial extracellular matrix; glycoprotein GP; in silico analysis