Virus-cell fusion inhibitory activity for the polysaccharides from various Korean edible clams

In order to find potent virus-cell fusion inhibitory components from Korean edible clams, thirteen prepared polysaccharides were introduced to syncytia formation inhibition assay, which is based on the interaction between the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120/41 and the cellular membrane protein CD4 of T lymphocytes. Among them, Meretrix petechialis showed a potent virus-cell fusion inhibitory activity. Fusion index (FI) and percent (%) fusion inhibition of the polysaccharide of this clam were 0.21 +/- 0.02, and 67.52 +/- 4.09 at 100 microg/ml, respectively. It exhibited almost equivalent virus-cell fusion inhibitory activity to that of dextran sulfate which was used as a standard control.