TWiV 742: De-fusing COVID-19

TWiV reviews a drug screen for inhibitors of syncytium formation, the fusing of cells caused by SARS-CoV-2, which reveals that the process is regulated by a calcium-activated ion channel and scramblase that is inhibited by the anti-parasite drug Niclosamide. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode TMEM16 inhibitors block SARS-CoV-2 driven syncytium formation (Nature) Letters read on TWiV 742 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – COVID-19: a disaster five years in the making Alan – The Tyranny of Merit Rich – Racism Makes Me Question Everything. I Got the Vaccine Anyway Kathy – The Transcontinental Burrito Tunnel Vincent – Trudy Rey's YouTube Channel Listener Picks Jeff – Rebecca Lee Smith on Left Right and Center Ryan – Perfect Strangers (clip) Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to [email protected]