K. Watashi

Systematic Discovery of Phage Genes that Inactivate Bacterial Immune Systems

This study identifies phage genes that inactivate bacterial immune systems by testing gene deletions in a phage library against bacterial defense systems.

Stratification of viral shedding patterns in saliva of COVID-19 patients

This study stratifies SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding patterns in saliva into three groups with distinct durations using a mathematical model and clustering, but finds no clear clinical or miRNA biomarkers explaining the differences.

Multiscale modeling of HBV infection integrating intra- and intercellular viral propagation for analyzing extracellular viral markers

This study develops a multiscale mathematical model to predict intrahepatic cccDNA dynamics using serum viral markers, offering a non-invasive method for HBV infection analysis.

Viruses encode tRNA and anti-retron to evade bacterial immunity

This study identifies two viral strategies to evade bacterial retrons: supplying tRNATyr to counteract retron 78 and using Rad to degrade retron noncoding RNA precursors.

Identification of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase as a potential target for anti-monkeypox virus agents

This study identifies IMPDH as a potential target for anti-monkeypox virus agents by showing that compounds targeting this enzyme inhibit MPXV replication more effectively than existing treatments.

Prediction of elimination of intrahepatic cccDNA in hepatitis B virus-infected patients by a combination of noninvasive viral markers

This study develops a noninvasive method using viral markers to predict cccDNA levels in HBV patients, validated against liver biopsy data.

Potential anti-monkeypox virus activity of atovaquone, mefloquine, and molnupiravir, and their potential use as treatments

This study identifies atovaquone, mefloquine, and molnupiravir as potential anti-monkeypox virus drugs, with atovaquone showing enhanced efficacy when combined with tecovirimat.

An ACAT inhibitor regulates SARS-CoV-2 replication and antiviral T cell activity

This paper shows that ACAT inhibitors like Avasimibe reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication and enhance antiviral T cell activity in patients.

Different efficacies of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral drugs on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2

The paper compares the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2, finding differential responses to specific treatments.

Dasabuvir inhibits human norovirus infection in human intestinal enteroids

This study identifies dasabuvir as an anti-HuNoV inhibitor using human intestinal enteroids, showing activity against HuNoV, SARS-CoV-2, and RVA.

The circadian clock component BMAL1 regulates SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in lung epithelial cells

This study shows BMAL1 regulates ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 entry in lung epithelial cells, with SR9009 reducing viral replication through circadian mechanisms.

Identification of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) oxysterol derivatives in vitro

This study identifies oxysterol derivatives with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, showing that Oxy210 and Oxy232 inhibit viral replication by disrupting double membrane vesicles.

Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) potency of Mefloquine as an entry inhibitor in vitro

This study identifies Mefloquine as a potent in vitro entry inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 with higher antiviral activity than Hydroxychloroquine.

Identification of novel avian and mammalian deltaviruses provides new insights into deltavirus evolution

This study identifies novel deltaviruses in birds and mammals, revealing evolutionary relationships and transmission dynamics of deltaviruses.

MafF is an antiviral host factor that suppresses transcription from Hepatitis B Virus core promoter

This study identifies MafF as an antiviral host factor that suppresses HBV core promoter transcription, contributing to host defense against HBV infection.

Multidrug treatment with nelfinavir and cepharanthine against COVID-19

This study identifies a new multidrug combination treatment for COVID-19 using nelfinavir and cepharanthine, showing synergistic antiviral effects and improved disease control.

Two strategies underlying the trade-off of hepatitis C virus proliferation: stay-at-home or leaving-home?

This study analyzes the trade-off between two HCV proliferation strategies, finding that Jc1-n favors transmission while JFH-1 favors intracellular replication.

A Single Adaptive Mutation in Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide Induced by Hepadnaviruses Determines Virus Species-specificity

The paper shows a single mutation in the NTCP receptor determines HBV infection specificity by showing how virus-induced positive selection at aa 158 alters host susceptibility.