Scientists from the University of Michigan (USA) have founda powerful new inhibitor of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. Specifically, it is thebanana lectin. This discovery may open the door tonew treatments to prevent sexual transmission of the virus, since in laboratory tests this substance has been shown to be as potent as other anti-HIV drugs that are currently used (T-20 or Maraviroc). The results have been published in the latest issue of the journalJournal of Biological Chemistry.
Lectins are proteins commonly synthesized by plants that bind to sugar molecules. Some are capable ofidentify external invaders, such as a virus or bacteria, and adhere to the pathogen, preventing it from interacting with the host’s cells. Michael Swanson and his colleagues at the University of Michigan found thatbanana lectin binds to the gp120 protein present in the HIV envelope. Since the proteingp120se alreceptor CD4present in the membrane ofT lymphocytes, this prevents the virus from attaching itself to the target cells.
Although clinical trials are still required for the finding to translate into healthcare applications, the researchers believe it could be used to develop avaginal microbicide creamthat women would use to prevent HIV infection. According to Swanson, even if it were only 60% effective, the product could prevent 2.5 million AIDS infections in three years.
