JNCASR researchers discover novel diagnostic approach for Monkeypox virus

New Delhi: Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have discovered a novel approach to understanding the virology of the monkeypox virus (MPV). This breakthrough offers potential for developing advanced diagnostic tools for the disease, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has twice declared a global health emergency in the past three years.

The 2024 global outbreak of MPV affected approximately 15 countries in Africa and three others outside the continent, raising concerns about its unexpected spread and the lack of clarity around its transmission and symptoms. Understanding the virus's virology is crucial to developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

“MPV is a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus. The detection of the extracellular viral protein gene through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a widely established technique for identifying MPV in clinical specimens,” stated the researchers.

While current diagnostic methods rely on PCR to amplify MPV’s dsDNA and use fluorescent probes for quantification, the JNCASR team identified highly conserved GQ (G-quadruplex) sequences in the MPV genome. These four-stranded DNA structures are stable under physiological conditions and unique to MPV, making them ideal targets for diagnostics and therapeutic development.

“These GQ sequences are stable under physiological conditions, highly conserved, and are not present in other pox viruses, other pathogens, and the human genome. These characteristics make the GQ sequences valuable targets for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic intervention,” explained the researchers.

The team developed a fluorogenic molecular probe, BBJL, which enhances fluorescence output by over 250-fold upon binding with MPV GQs. This selective detection of conserved sequences in the MPV genome sets the stage for creating novel detection techniques targeting noncanonical nucleic acids.

Further mapping of the MPV genome is underway to identify more GQ targets for potential antiviral therapies. The researchers highlighted the probe’s potential to address limitations in current amplification-based techniques by reducing false-positive results caused by non-specific amplification.

These findings provide valuable insights into MPV’s virology and open avenues for the scientific community to explore innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions.