Foreword

Infectious diseases have long posed a significant threat to human health. Bacteria, parasites, and viruses are among the microorganisms implicated in their spread. Pharmaceutical researchers have historically tackled this challenge head-on, leading to the development of numerous drugs, including antibiotics, through foundational research. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the social responsibility of pharmaceutical researchers to address emerging infectious diseases while honoring the lessons of the past.

In this edition of Current Topics, five young scientists and their colleagues have contributed papers to advance our understanding of infectious diseases and related fields. These authors, active in studying viral infectious diseases within Japan’s pharmaceutical community, offer valuable insights. Although many other pharmaceutical researchers are also making significant contributions in this area, space constraints prevent us from featuring them all. I sincerely apologize for not being able to introduce all of them.

In the first review, titled “From Glycolysis to Viral Defense: The Multifaceted Impact of Glycolytic Enzymes on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication,” Drs. Naoki Kishimoto and Shogo Misumi summarize recent findings on the role of glycolysis in viral defense. They discuss how HIV-1 infection alters cellular metabolism to aerobic glycolysis and propose a “glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-induced shock (G-shock) and kill strategy” to enhance the antiviral effect of glycolytic enzymes.

The second review, “The Terminase Complex of Each Human Herpesvirus,” by Drs. Yuki Iwaisako and Masahiro Fujimuro, highlights recent discoveries regarding the terminase complex of human herpesviruses (HHVs). This complex plays a crucial role in packaging viral genome units into immature capsids, making it a potential target for antiviral drugs. Drs. Iwaisako and Fujimuro provide an overview of the functions of HHV terminase complexes.

In the third review, “Current Status and Perspectives of Therapeutic Antibodies Targeting the Spike Protein S2 Subunit against SARS-CoV-2,” Drs. Yuichiro Yamamoto and Tetsuya Inoue discuss therapeutic antibodies targeting the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19. They explore the challenges posed by emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and propose alternative approaches, such as targeting the S2 subunit, to overcome resistance.

The fourth research article, “The Role of Human Mobility Flow in the Region-to-Region Spread of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection among Infants: An Infographic Analysis,” by Dr. Hide Sasaki et al., examines the correlation between human mobility flow and the spread of respiratory syncytial virus among infants. Their findings could inform strategies for infection control and public health measures.

In the fifth research article, “Inhibition Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by a Cholesterol Derivative, Nat-20(S)-yne,” Dr. Mana Murae et al., identify a novel compound with potential therapeutic value against COVID-19. Nat-20(S)-yne inhibits SARS-CoV-2 S protein-dependent membrane fusion, offering a promising avenue for further research into COVID-19 treatment.