Protectins are cell-signaling compounds based on unsaturated fatty acids. Protectin D1, found in fish oil, is the most important omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Recently, Y. Imai and co-workers at Akita University (Japan) found that the protectin D1 isomer shown may be a weapon against flu viruses. It blocks virus replication in the lungs by inhibiting the export of viral genomic material from host-cell nuclei.
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