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]
| Scytonema varium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Cyanobacteria |
| Class: | Cyanophyceae |
| Order: | Nostocales |
| Family: | Scytonemataceae |
| Genus: | Scytonema |
| Species: | S. varium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Scytonema varium Kützing, 1849
| |
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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. PMC 4258435. PMID 25265598.
- ^ 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.