An Antiviral Peptide from Alopecosa nagpag Spider Targets NS2B-NS3 Protease of Flaviviruses.

ABSTRACT: Flaviviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses predominantly transmitted by the widely distributed Aedes mosquitoes in nature. As important human pathogens, the geographic reach of Flaviviruses and their threats to public health are increasing, but there is currently no approved specific drug for treatment. In recent years, the development of peptide antivirals has gained much attention. Natural host defense peptides which uniquely evolved to protect the hosts have been shown to have antiviral properties. In this study, we firstly collected the venom of the Alopecosa nagpag spider from Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province. A defense peptide named Av-LCTX-An1a (Antiviral-Lycotoxin-An1a) was identified from the spider venom, and its anti-dengue serotype-2 virus (DENV2) activity was verified in v

SUBMITTER: Ji M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6832551 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature