title: A sugar binding protein cyanovirin-N blocks herpes simplex virus type-1 entry and cell fusion.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) causes significant health problems from periodic skin and corneal lesions to encephalitis. It is also considered a cofactor in the development of age-related secondary glaucoma. Inhibition of HSV-1 at the stage of viral entry generates a unique opportunity for preventative and/or therapeutic intervention. Here we provide evidence that a sugar binding antiviral protein, cyanovirin-N (CV-N), can act as a potent inhibitor of HSV-1 entry into natural target cells. Inhibition of entry was independent of HSV-1 gD receptor usage and it was observed in transformed as well as primary cell cultures. Evidence presented herein suggests that CV-N can not only block virus entry to cells but also, it is capable of significantly inhibiting membrane fusion mediated by HSV glycoproteins. While CV-N treated virions were significantly deficient in entering into cells, HSV-1 glycoproteins-expressing cells pretreated with CV-N demonstrated reduced cell-to-cell fusion and polykaryocytes formation. The observation that CV-N can block both entry as well as membrane fusion suggests a stronger potential for this compound in antiviral therapy against HSV-1.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors: Vaibhav
authors: V
authors: Tiwari
authors: Shripaad Y
authors: SY
authors: Shukla
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Shukla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000187:drug effects*; D053586:Virus Internalization / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C107733:cyanovirin N