Anti-HIV-1 activity of trichobitacin, a novel ribosome-inactivating protein.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether trichobitacin, a novel ribosome-inactivating protein purified from the root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii, possesses the anti-HIV activity.


METHODS
The inhibition of syncytial cell formation induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was determined under microscope, reduction of HIV-1 p24 antigen expression level was measured by ELISA, and decrease in numbers of HIV-1 antigen positive cells in acutely and chronically infected cultures were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay.


RESULTS
Trichobitacin was found to greatly suppress syncytial cell formation induced by HIV-1 and to markedly reduce both expression of HIV-1 p24 antigen and the number of HIV antigen positive cells in acutely but not chronically HIV-1 infected culture. The median inhibitory concentration (IC50) in inhibition of syncytial cell formation and HIV antigen positive cells were 5 micrograms.L-1 (95% confidence limits: 1.3-20 micrograms.L-1) and 0.09 mg.L-1 (95% confidence limits: 0.011-0.755 mg.L-1), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Trichobitacin is a novel ribosome-inactivating protein with anti-HIV-1 activity.
Zheng
Y T
YT
Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
Ben
K L
KL
Jin
S W
SW
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C425209:trichobitacin protein, Trichosanthes kirilowii