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. 1 2 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.


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