Cyclophilin A stabilizes the capsid protein p72 to facilitate African swine fever virus replication

African swine fever virus (ASFV) virions mainly contain capsid protein p72. In this study, authors show that host cyclophilin A (CypA) binds to and stabilizes p72, promoting viral factory formation and virion assembly. ASFV is a highly contagious and lethal DNA virus affecting domestic and wild pigs, posing a significant threat to global food security and the agricultural economy. By identifying the interaction between CypA and p72 as a critical step in the viral life cycle, the research offers a promising target for the development of anti-ASFV therapeutics to mitigate the spread of the disease.