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. 1997 Jul;41(7):1521–1530. doi: 10.1128/aac.41.7.1521

Discovery of cyanovirin-N, a novel human immunodeficiency virus-inactivating protein that binds viral surface envelope glycoprotein gp120: potential applications to microbicide development.

M R Boyd 1, K R Gustafson 1, J B McMahon 1, R H Shoemaker 1, B R O'Keefe 1, T Mori 1, R J Gulakowski 1, L Wu 1, M I Rivera 1, C M Laurencot 1, M J Currens 1, J H Cardellina 2nd 1, R W Buckheit Jr 1, P L Nara 1, L K Pannell 1, R C Sowder 2nd 1, L E Henderson 1
PMCID: PMC163952  PMID: 9210678

Abstract

We have isolated and sequenced a novel 11-kDa virucidal protein, named cyanovirin-N (CV-N), from cultures of the cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Nostoc ellipsosporum. We also have produced CV-N recombinantly by expression of a corresponding DNA sequence in Escherichia coli. Low nanomolar concentrations of either natural or recombinant CV-N irreversibly inactivate diverse laboratory strains and primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 as well as strains of HIV type 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus. In addition, CV-N aborts cell-to-cell fusion and transmission of HIV-1 infection. Continuous, 2-day exposures of uninfected CEM-SS cells or peripheral blood lymphocytes to high concentrations (e.g., 9,000 nM) of CV-N were not lethal to these representative host cell types. The antiviral activity of CV-N is due, at least in part, to unique, high-affinity interactions of CV-N with the viral surface envelope glycoprotein gp120. The biological activity of CV-N is highly resistant to physicochemical denaturation, further enhancing its potential as an anti-HIV microbicide.

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Selected References

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