文章基本信息

标题：The amphibian peptide Yodha is virucidal for Zika and dengue viruses
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作者：Song Hee Lee ; Eui Ho Kim ; Justin T. O’neal 等
期刊名称：Scientific Reports
电子版ISSN：2045-2322
出版年度：2021
卷号：11
期号：1
页码：602
DOI：10.1038/s41598-020-80596-4
出版社：Springer Nature
摘要：Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a serious health threat in the Americas and the Caribbean. ZIKV is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, sexual contact, and blood transfusion. ZIKV can also be transmitted to the developing fetus in utero, in some cases resulting in spontaneous abortion, fetal brain abnormalities, and microcephaly. In adults, ZIKV infection has been correlated with Guillain–Barre syndrome. Despite the public health threat posed by ZIKV, neither a vaccine nor antiviral drugs for use in humans are currently available. We have identified an amphibian host defense peptide, Yodha, which has potent virucidal activity against ZIKV. It acts directly on the virus and destroys Zika virus particles within 5 min of exposure. The Yodha peptide was effective against the Asian, African, and South American Zika virus strains and has the potential to be developed as an antiviral therapeutic in the fight against Zika virus. The peptide was also effective against all four dengue virus serotypes. Thus, Yodha peptide could potentially be developed as a pan-therapeutic for Zika and dengue viruses.