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Author: Mei into
Scientists in the United States and Britain have recently used plants to produce a large amount of protein that helps prevent the spread of HIV. The study went a step toward the goal of developing a protein-based commercial HIV anti-virus agent. Related papers were published online in the United States "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" on March 30th.
To date, the results of clinical trials using non-protein anti-virus agents against HIV have been disappointing. Carraguard used to be a promising chemical agent that inactivates the protein on the surface of HIV and was the first anti-HIV antiviral agent to complete Phase III clinical trials. However, in late 2007 it was proven to be ineffective against HIV. Scientists therefore hope that protein-based anti-virus agents will perform better.
A joint group of U.S. and U.K. scientists used the improved tobacco mosaic virus to introduce new genes into Benth's tobacco, enabling it to produce a protein called griffithsin (GRFT). Previous studies have shown that GRFT can effectively resist HIV. It is thought that GRFT binds to the surface of HIV and prevents it from infecting healthy cells.
The team used this technique to extract 60 g of GRFT from the Nicotiana benthamiana plant. This plant was chosen because it is easy to genetically modify the virus and it can be planted in high density in greenhouses.
Julian Ma, a molecular immunologist at St. George's Hospital, University of London, United Kingdom, said: “This is a landmark study because it shows for the first time the ability to make large quantities of proteins, so it has restored the possibility of manufacturing protein antiviruses. â€
Scientists in the United States and Britain have recently used plants to produce a large amount of protein that helps prevent the spread of HIV. The study went a step toward the goal of developing a protein-based commercial HIV anti-virus agent. Related papers were published online in the United States "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" on March 30th.
To date, the results of clinical trials using non-protein anti-virus agents against HIV have been disappointing. Carraguard used to be a promising chemical agent that inactivates the protein on the surface of HIV and was the first anti-HIV antiviral agent to complete Phase III clinical trials. However, in late 2007 it was proven to be ineffective against HIV. Scientists therefore hope that protein-based anti-virus agents will perform better.
A joint group of U.S. and U.K. scientists used the improved tobacco mosaic virus to introduce new genes into Benth's tobacco, enabling it to produce a protein called griffithsin (GRFT). Previous studies have shown that GRFT can effectively resist HIV. It is thought that GRFT binds to the surface of HIV and prevents it from infecting healthy cells.
The team used this technique to extract 60 g of GRFT from the Nicotiana benthamiana plant. This plant was chosen because it is easy to genetically modify the virus and it can be planted in high density in greenhouses.
Julian Ma, a molecular immunologist at St. George's Hospital, University of London, United Kingdom, said: “This is a landmark study because it shows for the first time the ability to make large quantities of proteins, so it has restored the possibility of manufacturing protein antiviruses. â€