The effect of an agglutogen on virus infection: biotinylated filamentous phages and avidin as a model.

Abstract

To address the effect of an agglutogen on virus infection, we studied the avidin-associated inhibition of infection by biotinylated M13 phages (BIO-phages). Microscopic observation of mixtures of BIO-phages and avidin-fluorescein conjugates revealed many aggregates. Even at low phage concentrations, avidin induced inhibition of infection significantly. Anti-M13 phage antibody also made aggregates and inhibited the infection but in a different manner from avidin. The inhibition by avidin was at > or = 2 microg/ml, time dependent and marked until 10 min after the mixing of the BIO-phages and Escherichia coli. On the other hand, antibody inhibited the infection at > or = 0.1 microg/ml dose dependently, and the inhibition was time dependent and marked until 45 min after the mixing at moderate and low phage concentrations. These results indicate that avidin against BIO-phages and antibodies are agglutogens, and the inhibition of the BIO-phages by avidin is closely related to the tetramerization of avidin. Agglutogens may be novel alternative antiviral drugs.

• Authors: Michihiro Nakamura, Kouhei Tsumoto, Kazunori Ishimura, Izumi Kumagai
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 520 Issue 1-3 Pg. 77-80 (Jun 05 2002) ISSN: 0014-5793 [Print] England
• PMID: 12044874 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Avidin
• Biotin

Topics

• Avidin (pharmacology)
• Bacteriophage M13 (chemistry, drug effects, growth & development)
• Biotin (chemistry)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Escherichia coli (drug effects, virology)
• Time Factors
• Viruses (drug effects, growth & development)