A Placenta Derived C-Terminal Fragment of β-Hemoglobin With Combined Antibacterial and Antiviral Activity.

ABSTRACT: The placenta acts as physical and immunological barrier against the transmission of viruses and bacteria from mother to fetus. However, the specific mechanisms by which the placenta protects the developing fetus from viral and bacterial pathogens are poorly understood. To identify placental peptides and small proteins protecting from viral and bacterial infections, we generated a peptide library from 10 kg placenta by chromatographic means. Screening the resulting 250 fractions against Herpes-Simplex-Virus 2 (HSV-2), which is rarely transmitted through the placenta, in a cell-based system identified two adjacent fractions with significant antiviral activity. Further rounds of chromatographic purification and anti-HSV-2 testing allowed to purify the bioactive peptide. Mass spectrometry reve

SUBMITTER: Groß R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7153485 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature