In a path breaking study, a young Kashmiri scientist has discovered a crucial protein secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which if targeted by specific drugs will provide faster diagnosis and possible cure to tuberculosis.
Imtiyaz Yaseen, 29, who discovered the protein RV1988, has been working on the project as part of his Phd thesis since 2011. “It was my professor who gave me the idea about existence of a possible protein at the heart of tuberculosis infection,” said Imtiyaz who is doing his Phd at Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) Hyderabad. “So I undertook extensive research and ultimately found a protein RV1988, which has been hiding before our eyes while affecting millions of TB patients.”
While describing the significance of the discovery, Imtiyaz said that the protein secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis helps it to suppress human immune system and thrive in the body. The bacterium produces protein which enters nucleus of the host cell where it represses specific sequences in a gene which are related to immune function. The research has been published in the prestigious journal “Nature Communications”.
“In simpler terms the infecting organism not only causes tuberculosis but also releases a protein which reduces body’s capability to respond to that infection,” said Imtiyaz. “By targeting this particular protein we can produce drugs which can cure the disease. Secondly it can also become a potential diagnostic biomarker for active tuberculosis.”
The discovery has been hailed by scientific community with immense response coming from all round the world. CDFD has already filed a patent for the discovery naming Imtiyaz as an applicant along his professor Sanjeev Khosla. The centre is now initiating talks with major drug companies that can produce drugs to cure tuberculosis based on the research. The future drug would inhibit this protein or bind an enzyme which can reverse what this protein does.
