PLA Daily 2003-05-22

　　The Fourth Military Medical University reported a breakthrough on April 21 in its search for an effective drug for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

　　The discovery of the three polypeptides, believed to be able to inhibit the infectious virus, has laid a solid foundation for the advent of a possible cure for SARS. The three polypeptides have officially passed the verification conducted jointly by the Virus prevention and Control Institute and the Virus Information Center of the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Center.

　　After identifying the SARS pathogen, the researchers from the university discovered that a corona-like circle surrounds the coronavirus, and inside the circle there are four structural proteins, including protein-S, which play a decisive role in attacking human cells. Further studies of the coronavirus and the structural proteins have revealed that certain polypeptides can stop the coronavirus from attacking human cells.

　　Experts from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Center have acknowledged and approved the findings, saying it is a major advance in developing possible SARS drugs.

　　by Wang Shien, Wang Kun

　　(May 22, PLA Daily)