Will Killer Peptide Offer New Therapy

Against Swine Flu H1N1 Virus?
-From www.lifetein.com

The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans is caused by a new strain of influenza A virus subtype
H1N1. The origin of this new strain is unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in pigs.

This is a version of swine flu hemagglutinin amino acid sequence:

MKAILVVMLYTFATANADTLCIGYHANNSTDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNLLEDKHNGKLCK
LRGVAPLHLGKCNIAGWILGNPECESLSTASSWSYIVETSSSDNGTCYPGDFIDYEELRE
QLSSVSSFERFEIFPKTSSWPNHDSNKGVTAACPHAGAKSFYKNLIWLVKKGNSYPKLSK
SYINDKGKEVLVLWGIHHPSTSADQQSLYQNADAYVFVGSSRYSKKFKPEIAIRPKVRDQ
EGRMNYYWTLVEPGDKITFEATGNLVVPRYAFAMERNAGSGIIISDTPVHDCNTTCQTPK
GAINTSLPFQNIHPITIGKCPKYVKSTKLRLATGLRNVPSIQSRGLFGAIAGFIEGGWTG
MVDGWYGYHHQNEQGSGYAADLKSTQNAIDEITNKVNSVIEKMNTQFTAVGKEFNHLEKR
IENLNKKVDDGFLDIWTYNAELLVLLENERTLDYHDSNVKNLYEKVRSQLKNNAKEIGNG
CFEFYHKCDNTCMESVKNGTYDYPKYSEEAKLNREEIDGVKLESTRIYQILAIYSTVASS
LVLVVSLGAISFWMCSNGSLQCRICI

The H1N1 swine flu can be transmitted from human to human, and causes the normal symptoms
of influenza, such as fever, coughing and headache. This has brought about new concerns of a
pandemic outbreak. Although vaccination can be an effective strategy for preventing this virus, it
will take at least a few months for the discovery and development of antiviral drugs.

A killer decapeptide (KP) against influenza A virus and the mechanisms of actions were
described by researchers. This killer decapeptide represents the functional internal image of a
yeast (Pichia anomala) killer toxin that has antimicrobial and anti-human immunodeficiency
virus type 1 (HIV-1) activities. After treating with a KP concentration of 4 ug/ml, the scientists
observed the complete inhibition of virus particle production and a marked reduction of the
synthesis of viral proteins (membrane protein and hemagglutinin, in particular).Moreover, mice
infected with influenza A/NWS/33 (H1N1) virus were inoculated with KP (100 ug/mice) once a
day for ten days resulting in an improved survival rate of 40% and significantly decreased viral
levels in their lungs.

Will this be a suggestion for treatment of H1N1 Swine Flu? It needs further study from scientist.
The KP is anti-idiotypic antibody (KT-scFv) -derived peptide. Killer decapeptide exerted a
strong fungicidal activity against Candida albicans, which was attributed to peptide interaction
with beta-glucan. As this polysaccharide is also a critical component of the cryptococcal cell

 
  
wall, it was found to have inhibitory activity and that has a potential therapeutic effect against
pathogenic microorganisms, HIV-1, and influenza A virus by different mechanisms of action.

The synthetic peptides have been widely used for therapeutic peptide research. A synthetic
peptide antigen corresponding to a region of the glycoprotein gp41 encoded by the env gene of
HIV-2 is found to be immunologically reactive with HIV-2 specific antibodies. This is useful in
assays for detection of HIV-2 infection or exposure and in compositions to elicit the production
of antibodies against HIV-2 in animals including man.

The specificity of peptides has tremendous clinical value and makes them very attractive
therapeutics. More than 40 peptides are in the world market and about 270 peptides are in the
clinical phase. In addition, more than 400 are in advanced preclinical phases worldwide. These
trends suggest that the therapeutic peptide represents a novel therapeutic strategy in the clinical
setting. The scientists will find out answer for this question soon: Will Killer Peptide Offer New
Therapy Against Swine Flu H1N1 Virus?

Reference:

G. Conti, W. Magliani, S. Conti, L. Nencioni, R. Sgarbanti, A.T. Palamara, L. Polonelli.

Therapeutic activity of an anti-idiotypic antibody-derived killer peptide against influenza
A virus experimental infection. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 52. 12: 4331-4337

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