CCMB scientists in Hyderabad discover plant protein that may aid dementia, cancer treatment

Researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have identified a molecular mechanism in plants that traps and neutralizes viruses, a discovery that could lead to breakthroughs in both agriculture and medicine. Led by Mandar V Deshmukh, the team studied how plants defend against viruses containing double-stranded RNA, finding that specialized proteins form dense, gel-like droplets—called biomolecular condensates—around viral replication sites, preventing viral multiplication. The study, published in the *Journal of the American Chemical Society*, used advanced techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy to analyze these proteins. The proteins contain positively charged sticky patches that attract each other, assembling into droplets that immobilize viral RNA. According to Jaydeep Paul, these proteins act like 'molecular glue,' trapping viral material and blocking replication. The findings challenge traditional views of cell biology, suggesting cells contain dynamic, membraneless organelles rather than static compartments. Deshmukh noted this discovery could enhance crop immunity by strengthening natural viral defenses, reducing global agricultural losses. It may also offer new strategies for treating human diseases like cancer and dementia, where harmful protein clumps disrupt cellular function. The research focused on *Arabidopsis thaliana*, a model plant, and could inspire antiviral therapies for crops and drugs targeting sticky protein aggregates in diseases. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists may develop treatments to dissolve neurotoxic clumps in dementia or disrupt tumor-protective barriers. The study bridges plant virology and medical biotechnology, opening doors for innovative disease-resistant crops and precision therapies.