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The effect of an agglutogen on virus infection: biotinylated filamentous phages and avidin as a model
Michihiro Nakamura1, Kouhei Tsumoto, Kazunori Ishimura
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. michy@basic.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
To address the effect of an agglutogen on virus infection, we studied the avidin-associated inhibition of infection by biotinylated M13 phages (BIO-phages). Microscopic observation of mixtures of BIO-phages and avidin-fluorescein conjugates revealed many aggregates. Even at low phage concentrations, avidin induced inhibition of infection significantly. Anti-M13 phage antibody also made aggregates and inhibited the infection but in a different manner from avidin. The inhibition by avidin was at > or = 2 microg/ml, time dependent and marked until 10 min after the mixing of the BIO-phages and Escherichia coli. On the other hand, antibody inhibited the infection at > or = 0.1 microg/ml dose dependently, and the inhibition was time dependent and marked until 45 min after the mixing at moderate and low phage concentrations. These results indicate that avidin against BIO-phages and antibodies are agglutogens, and the inhibition of the BIO-phages by avidin is closely related to the tetramerization of avidin. Agglutogens may be novel alternative antiviral drugs.
Insights
Avidin and antibodies act as agglutogens, inhibiting M13 phage infections by forming aggregates. This suggests agglutogens could be novel antiviral drugs.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Biotinylated M13 phages (BIO-phages) were used to study the impact of agglutogens on viral infection.
- Avidin and antibodies were investigated for their potential to inhibit phage infection through aggregation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which avidin and antibodies inhibit BIO-phage infection.
- To determine if agglutogens can serve as novel antiviral agents.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic observation of BIO-phages mixed with avidin-fluorescein conjugates to detect aggregate formation.
- Assessing the inhibitory effects of avidin and anti-M13 phage antibody on BIO-phage infection of Escherichia coli at varying concentrations and time points.
Main Results:
- Avidin and anti-M13 phage antibody both induced significant aggregation of BIO-phages, inhibiting infection.
- Avidin inhibition was observed at >= 2 microg/ml and was time-dependent, effective within 10 minutes.
- Antibody inhibition occurred at >= 0.1 microg/ml, was dose-dependent, and effective up to 45 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Avidin and antibodies function as agglutogens, inhibiting phage infection via aggregate formation.
- Avidin's inhibition mechanism is linked to its tetramerization.
- Agglutogens represent a promising class of potential antiviral therapeutics.
