The ocean floor virus contains enzymes that can treat pneumonia

The cytochrome P450 enzyme present in the complex gene of the virus is found to have a great contribution in medicine.

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Swansea University Medical College have found a mysterious oceanic virus that seeks to find a new antiviral drug for patients. . The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Proceedings.

The team found more than 8,000 viral genomes and found many new viruses contained in a complex gene, including an enzyme called cytochrom P450 .

P450 enzymes will make major contributions to the treatment of pneumonia.

This enzyme is very common in plants and animals but found in the new virus is a surprise because scientists do not think this virus carries a complex gene set. The P450 gene type is identified in the Herpes virus (ranid herpesvirus 3) and in the phage (mycobacterium phage Adler).

The main author of the study, Shutterstock, said: "Animal P450 enzymes are converted into drugs, create steroid hormones and fight off pollutants. Although no mechanism for P450 has been found in this virus, but surely this enzyme will be different from other organisms " . He said, P450 enzymes will make major contributions to the treatment of pneumonia.

P450 enzymes are known to be one of the largest superfamily. Finding genes and P450 enzymes helps us understand more about the origin and biological characteristics of these viruses, thus opening a new door for the evolution and development of important enzymes in life.