Effects of microvirin monomers and oligomers on hepatitis C virus

Biosci Rep. 2017 Jun 30;37(3):BSR20170015. doi: 10.1042/BSR20170015. Print 2017 Jun 30.

Abstract

Microvirin (MVN) is a carbohydrate-binding protein which shows high specificity for high-mannose type N-glycan structures. In the present study, we tried to identify whether MVN could bind to high-mannose containing hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins, which are heavily decorated high-mannose glycans. In addition, recombinantly expressed MVN oligomers in di-, tri- and tetrameric form were evaluated for their viral inhibition. MVN oligomers bound more efficiently to HCV virions, and displayed in comparison with the MVN monomer a higher neutralization potency against HCV infection. The antiviral effect was furthermore affected by the peptide linker sequence connecting the MVN monomers. The results indicate that MVN oligomers such as trimers and tetramers may be used as future neutralization agents against HCV infections.

Keywords: Microvirin; hepatitis C virus; high-mannose glycan; lectin oligomer.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / metabolism
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin / chemistry*
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin / genetics
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin / pharmacology*
  • Microcystis / chemistry*
  • Microcystis / genetics
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • microvirin protein, Microcystis aeruginosa