Scytonema varium
| Scytonema varium | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Division: | cyanobacterium |
| Class: | Hormogoneae |
| Order: | Nostocales |
| Family: | Scytonemataceae |
| Genus: | Scytonema |
| Species: | Scytonema varium |
| Binomial name | |
| Scytonema varium Kützing 1849 | |
Scytonema varium is a cultured cyanobacterium of the genus Scytonema [1] It is one of many anti viral protein producing algae. In a similar manner to Cyanovirin-N from Nostoc Ellipsosporum and griffithsin from the red algae Griffithsia, Scytonema varium secretes the broad-spectrum antiviral protein scytovirin which can inactivate both the HIV virus,[1] and Ebola virus,[2] offering hope of treatment for many diseases with viral etiology (cause). It is currently being investigated as a topical microbicide for HIV prophylaxis.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bokesch HR, O'Keefe BR, McKee TC, Pannell LK, Patterson GM, Gardella RS, Sowder RC 2nd, Turpin J, Watson K, Buckheit RW Jr, Boyd MR (Mar 2003). "A potent novel anti-HIV protein from the cultured cyanobacterium Scytonema varium". Biochemistry 42 (9): 2578–84. doi:10.1021/bi0205698. PMID 12614152.
- ↑ Garrison, A. R.; Giomarelli, B. G.; Lear-Rooney, C. M.; Saucedo, C. J.; Yellayi, S; Krumpe, L. R.; Rose, M; Paragas, J; Bray, M; Olinger Jr, G. G.; McMahon, J. B.; Huggins, J; O'Keefe, B. R. (2014). "The cyanobacterial lectin scytovirin displays potent in vitro and in vivo activity against Zaire Ebola virus". Antiviral Research 112C: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.09.012. PMID 25265598.
- ↑ Xiong C, O'Keefe BR, Botos I, Wlodawer A, McMahon JB. (Apr 2006). "Overexpression and purification of scytovirin, a potent, novel anti-HIV protein from the cultured cyanobacterium Scytonema varium". Protein Expr Purif 46 (2): 233–9. doi:10.1016/j.pep.2005.09.019. PMID 16289703.