A novel peptide with potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activities against multiple respiratory viruses

Hanjun Zhao, Jie Zhou, Ke Zhang, Hin Chu, Dabin Liu, Vincent Kwok Man Poon, Chris Chung Sing Chan, Ho Chuen Leung, Ng Fai, Yong Ping Lin, Anna Jin Xia Zhang, Dong Yan Jin, Kwok Yung Yuen, Bo Jian Zheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A safe, potent and broad-spectrum antiviral is urgently needed to combat emerging respiratory viruses. In light of the broad antiviral activity of β-defensins, we tested the antiviral activity of 11 peptides derived from mouse β-defensin-4 and found that a short peptide, P9, exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antiviral effects against multiple respiratory viruses in vitro and in vivo, including influenza A virus H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H7N9, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The antiviral activity of P9 was attributed to its high-affinity binding to viral glycoproteins, as well as the abundance of basic amino acids in its composition. After binding viral particles through viral surface glycoproteins, P9 entered into cells together with the viruses via endocytosis and prevented endosomal acidification, which blocked membrane fusion and subsequent viral RNA release. This study has paved the avenue for developing new prophylactic and therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum antiviral activities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number22008
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 25 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General

Cite this