title: Antiviral lectins as potential HIV microbicides.
abstract: A growing class of potential antivirals encompasses carbohydrate-binding proteins, such as antibodies and lectins. They block virus entry into host target cells and halt virus transmission from virus-infected cells to non-infected cells, thereby preventing infection. Here, we review the structural basis for the anti-HIV activity of various lectins, describing their structures and determinants of high-affinity oligosaccharide binding. The mechanism of glycan recognition on the gp120 envelope protein by these antiviral lectins may therefore be exploited for developing agents and alternative strategies to prevent HIV transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Leonardus M I
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Koharudin
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Electronic address: amg100@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gronenborn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D037102:Lectins