A group of local scientists says it has identified structures of SPRY domains found in a protein called TRIM5, which restricts the replication of various retrovirus infections, including the virus that causes AIDS.

The finding, made by the team of Professor Oh Byung-ha at Pohang University of Science and Technology, is featured as the cover story of the latest edition of Molecular Cell, released worldwide Friday.

According to the team, the finding could help identify the structure and functions of some one-hundred-50 other proteins with SPRY domains in human cells, which would ultimately help unveil the cause of various viral diseases, such AIDS, Familial Mediterranean Fever and Opitz Syndrome.