Protein shape change triggers mpox virus replication, Harvard study finds

Researchers at the Blavatnik Institute of Harvard Medical School have identified a molecular “switch” that triggers the replication of the mpox virus. Their study shows that two viral proteins undergo a conformational change when they bind together, initiating the cascade of events required for the virus to reproduce inside host cells. High‑resolution structural analysis revealed the precise shape‑shifting mechanism, providing the first detailed view of how this interaction drives the viral life cycle.

The findings arrive as a new generation of artificial‑intelligence‑driven virtual screening platforms becomes available for drug discovery. By integrating the structural data with AI tools, scientists can more efficiently screen large libraries of compounds to pinpoint molecules that could block the protein‑protein interaction and halt viral replication. The research not only opens pathways for developing treatments against mpox and related orthopoxvirus infections but also offers a template for rapid response to emerging pathogens that employ similar replication strategies.