Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
14:28

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners

Published on: June 30, 2013

12.5K

Melittin-Related Peptides Interfere with Sandfly Fever Naples Virus Infection by Interacting with Heparan Sulphate

Annalisa Chianese1, Carla Zannella1, Francesca Palma1

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.

Microorganisms
|October 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Frog-derived peptides RV-23 and AR-23 show strong antiviral activity against sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV). These novel peptides block SFNV infection by preventing viral adsorption to host cells, offering potential new antiviral strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Emerging viruses, particularly arboviruses from the Bunyaviridae family, present significant global health risks.
  • Phleboviruses, such as Toscana virus, can cause severe human diseases like meningitis and encephalitis.
  • Currently, no specific vaccines or antiviral treatments exist for many phlebovirus infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro antiviral efficacy of melittin-related peptides, RV-23 and AR-23, against sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV).
  • To elucidate the mechanism of action of these peptides in inhibiting SFNV infection.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro evaluation of frog-derived peptides RV-23 and AR-23 against SFNV.
  • Analysis of peptide interaction with viral particles and host cell receptors.
  • Assessment of the stage of viral infection targeted by the peptides.

Main Results:

  • Both RV-23 and AR-23 demonstrated potent antiviral activity against SFNV.
  • The peptides function by targeting viral particles and inhibiting virus-cell interactions.
  • Specifically, they interfere with viral adsorption to host cells by blocking common glycosaminoglycan receptors during early infection stages.
  • AR-23 and RV-23 exhibited superior antimicrobial selectivity compared to melittin.

Conclusions:

  • RV-23 and AR-23 are effective inhibitors of SFNV infection in vitro.
  • These peptides represent promising candidates for developing novel antiviral strategies against phleboviruses.
  • Further research is warranted to explore their therapeutic potential for treating SFNV and related infections.
Keywords:
Crimea–Congo hemorrhagic feverRift Valley fever virusToscana virusarbovirusglycosaminoglycansheparan sulfatephlebovirussandfly fever Naples virussandfly-borne infections

More Related Videos

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope08:09

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

Published on: March 24, 2017

9.6K
Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance13:00

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: June 14, 2022

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

Leishmaniasis01:30

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Inhibitors Of Virion Release01:25

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...
Anthelminthic Agents01:15

Anthelminthic Agents

Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
Antiprotozoal Agents01:21

Antiprotozoal Agents

Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...