title: Bovine lactoferrin peptidic fragments involved in inhibition of Echovirus 6 in vitro infection.
abstract: Bovine lactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein folded in two symmetric globular lobes (N- and C-lobes), each being able to bind one ferric ion. We have previously demonstrated that this protein is able to prevent echovirus-induced apoptosis. In the present study, we have investigated both the role of tryptic fragments of bovine lactoferrin and the mechanism of lactoferrin effect on echovirus infection. Results obtained showed that bovine lactoferrin inhibits echovirus-induced cytopathic effect and antigen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner and that this protein is able to prevent viral replication when added not only during the entire cycle of infection but also before, during or after the viral adsorption step. The N-terminal cationic peptide was sufficient to prevent viral binding. Our data suggest that lactoferrin inhibition of echovirus attachment to cell receptors could be mediated by the cluster of positive charges at its N-terminus (lactoferricin).
authors.affiliation: Department of Technology and Health, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Agostina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pietrantoni
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ammendolia
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tinari
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siciliano
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valenti
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Superti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D004458:Echovirus 6, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D007781:Lactoferrin