Virus inactivation and protein modifications by ethyleneimines

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F Käsermann1, K Wyss, C Kempf

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. kaersemann@ibc.unibe.ch

Antiviral Research
|September 1, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Trimeric ethyleneimine (TEI) effectively inactivates viruses like minute virus of mice (MVM) and Semliki forest virus (SFV). TEI likely works by chemically modifying viral surface proteins, inhibiting virus uptake into host cells.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Biochemistry
  • Antiviral research

Background:

  • Ethyleneimines have been used for virus inactivation for over 30 years.
  • Oligomeric ethyleneimines have shown selective targeting of viral nucleic acids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of trimeric ethyleneimine (TEI) in inactivating minute virus of mice (MVM) and Semliki forest virus (SFV).
  • To elucidate the mechanism of TEI-mediated virus inactivation, focusing on pH dependency and effects on viral proteins and cell uptake.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of MVM and SFV with TEI.
  • Analysis of pH-dependent inactivation kinetics.
  • Characterization of TEI-treated soluble viral proteins (isoelectric point, mass).
  • Monitoring of viral DNA uptake into host cells after TEI treatment.

Main Results:

  • TEI demonstrated inactivation of MVM and SFV.
  • MVM inactivation kinetics showed unique pH dependency, suggesting protein modification.
  • TEI treatment altered the isoelectric point and mass of soluble viral proteins.
  • TEI significantly reduced or blocked MVM uptake into host cells, correlating with infectivity loss.

Conclusions:

  • Virus inactivation by TEI is likely mediated by chemical modifications of viral surface proteins.
  • Inhibition of virus uptake into host cells is a key factor in TEI-induced virus inactivation.
  • TEI presents a potential antiviral strategy targeting viral surface proteins.

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