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Effect of Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide on malignant cell transformation by Moloney murine sarcoma virus
1The Institute forApplied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Abstract:
The polysaccharide produced by the red microalga Porphyridium sp. was highly inhibitory for cell transformation of mouse fibroblast cells by an MSV-124 virus stock. This inhibition was most effective if the polysaccharide was added 2 h before or at the time of infection. The finding that the inhibition of cell transformation by MuSV-124 was reversible after removal of the polysaccharide suggested that Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide inhibited a late step after provirus integration into the host genome. Addition of the polysaccharide post-infection significantly reduced the number of transformed cells, but its effect was less marked than that obtained when the polysaccharide was added before or at the time of infection. These findings support the possibility that the polysaccharide may affect early steps in virus replication cycle, such as virus absorption into the host cells, in addition to its effect on a late step after provirus integration.
Insights
Red microalga polysaccharides inhibit mouse fibroblast cell transformation by MSV-124 virus. This natural compound may affect early and late stages of the virus replication cycle.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Marine Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Certain microalgae produce bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications.
- Porphyridium sp. is a red microalga known for its unique polysaccharide composition.
- Viral cell transformation poses a significant challenge in biological research and disease modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-cancer properties of polysaccharides from Porphyridium sp.
- To determine the effect of Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide on Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MuSV-124) induced cell transformation.
- To elucidate the stage of the viral replication cycle targeted by the polysaccharide.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of mouse fibroblast cells with Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide.
- Infection of cells with MSV-124 virus.
- Assessment of cell transformation inhibition.
- Evaluation of polysaccharide addition timing and reversibility.
Main Results:
- Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide demonstrated significant inhibition of MSV-124 induced cell transformation.
- Optimal inhibition occurred when the polysaccharide was added pre-infection or at the time of infection.
- The inhibitory effect was reversible upon polysaccharide removal, suggesting a late-stage inhibition post-provirus integration.
- Post-infection addition also reduced transformed cells, indicating potential effects on early viral replication steps like cell absorption.
Conclusions:
- Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide exhibits potent anti-viral activity against MSV-124.
- The polysaccharide interferes with both early and late stages of the viral replication cycle.
- These findings highlight the potential of microalgal polysaccharides as novel antiviral agents.
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