RNA enzyme might inhibit herpes virus

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they are using a gene-targeting RNA enzyme to inhibit strains of the herpes simplex virus.

The new therapy is being developed at the University of Florida, where researchers say it could, in time, produce another weapon for the fight against the viral disease.

Associate Professor David Bloom, who leads the researchers, said the enzyme disables a gene responsible for producing a protein involved in the maturation and release of viral particles in an infected cell. He said the technique appears to be effective in experiments with mice and rabbits, but further research is required before it can be attempted in people.

"If things worked out the best they could, I think this could be a measure to prevent recurrence and that would help a lot of people -- and even if it just reduced severity, it would give us another therapy in cases where there is drug resistance," said Bloom.

The work appears in the August issue of The Journal of Virology.