CCMB Scientists Discover DZIP3 Protein That Acts as Viral Alarm in Human Cells

Exam-focused facts from the 25 October 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, led by Dr Santosh Chauhan, identified the protein DZIP3, which detects viral RNA and activates the cell's immune response, with findings published in The EMBO Journal and Dr Rinku Sahu as first author.
When DZIP3 encounters viral RNA it changes shape, moves to the mitochondria, tags key immune defence proteins and triggers production of Type-I interferons that prevent virus multiplication.
The pathway showed protection against SARS-CoV-2, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses, and the team is developing small-molecule drug candidates to boost DZIP3 activity, with funding from the Department of Biotechnology.