Virulent smallpox stymied as a weapon

Scientists have shown for the first time that a protein in the nucleus of victims' cells triggers progression of smallpox-related illnesses, a finding that could help prevent use of such viruses as bioterrorism weapons. The researchers have found that poxviruses move to the second and third stages of development by recruiting a protein, called TATA-binding protein, in the nucleus of mammals' cells.

"This protein is required for activation of the middle- and late-stage pox virus genes," explains Steven Broyles, professor of biochemistry at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. "In the past, we were just groping around. We now have a model for how the pox virus growth process is orchestrated."

Although the last naturally occurring case of smallpox was in Somalia in 1977, experts believe that the disease and related viruses could be used as biological weapons. Though most occur naturally, it is possible that bioterrorists could engineer viruses and bacteria to increase their virulence substantially, make them resistant to currently used vaccines and drugs, or partner two biological agents to create a new, more lethal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

People no longer are vaccinated against or exposed to smallpox since it was eradicated. However, laboratory stockpiles of the virus still exist in the U.S. and other places around the world, the CDC reports. If some of the virus were released, either in its common or a mutated form, a health crisis could result.

Two types of the most common smallpox form, variola major, almost always are fatal, show CDC statistics. Overall, the average death rate of all types of variola major is about 30%.

In order to guard against a terrorist-planted or spontaneous outbreak, major scientific efforts are under way to learn how smallpox and similar illnesses so effectively can halt normal cell activity. If scientists understand the biochemical changes that allow pox viruses to cause illness, and also the processes that allow the disease-causing organisms to mutate, it may be possible to create new vaccines and treatments that could be used should outbreaks occur.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning