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0Researchers have identified a host protein called SPART that functions as a broad restriction factor against orthoflaviviruses, including Zika and Dengue. Using a CRISPR activation screen, the study discovered that SPART inhibits viral infection by sequestering another host protein, ITCH, and preventing its normal localization. Under typical conditions, ITCH facilitates the ubiquitination and degradation of the viral capsid, which allows the viral genome to be released into the cell. However, high levels of SPART block this uncoating process, effectively trapping the virus and preventing its replication. These findings suggest that targeting the SPART-ITCH interaction could provide a novel therapeutic pathway for treating various pathogenic viral infections.
References:
Li Q, Yin Y, Liu Y, et al. A CRISPR activation screen identifies SPART as a pan-orthoflavivirus restriction factor[J]. Cell Host & Microbe, 2026.
