Purification and characterization of an avian myeloblastosis and human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase inhibitor, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from sea algae

Abstract

A new reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor was extracted and purified from the red alga Schizymenia pacifica. The chromatographic behavior and chemical properties of this sea algal extract (SAE) suggest that it is a sulfated polysaccharide having a molecular weight of approximately 2,000,000. SAE is composed of galactose (73%), sulfonate (20%), and 3,6-anhydrogalactose (0.65%). SAE is a member of the X-carrageenan family, based on its infrared spectrum and products of hydrolysis. SAE selectively inhibited human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT and replication in vitro. When MT-4 cells were treated with more than 104 inhibitory units (IU) of SAE per ml after HIV infection, significant inhibition of viral antigen synthesis was observed. Furthermore, more than 90% of cells were viable in the cultures exposed to 4 x 104 to 8 x 104 IU of SAE per ml, while almost all the MT-4 cells in the control culture had died by 10 days after HIV infection. The inhibitory effect of SAE on HIV replication was confirmed by plaque reduction assays. The 50% inhibitory dose of SAE was 9.5 x 103 IU/mi. Chondroitin sulfate A, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, keratan polysulfate, and heparin also inhibited the RT of avian myeloblastosis virus. SAE immediately inhibited RT activity when added to an assay mixture after the start of the reaction.

Frequent Occurrence of HIV-Inhibitory Sulphated Polysaccharides in Marine Invertebrates

“…Ehresmann et al (1977) linked the inhibition of herpes simplex and other viruses with polysaccharide fractions from extracts of ten red algae; similar observations were made by Richards et al (1978). More recently, Nakashima et al (1987aNakashima et al ( , 1987b, have characterized the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitory sulphated polysaccharide from the red alga Schizymenia pacifica.…”

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus effects of dextran sulfate are strain dependent and synergistic or antagonistic when dextran sulfate is given in combination with dideoxynucleosides

“…Dextran sulfate is a member of a family of sulfated polysaccharides with potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity in vitro (1,2,19,20,29). They inhibit the binding of the HIV envelope glycoproteins to host cells and prevent the development of syncytium formation (18).…”

A Novel Soluble Beta-Glucan Salecan Protects against Acute Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

“…The salecan was further purified according to previously described methods. 16,17) Gel filtration chromatography was conducted with a Sepharose CL-4B (Pharmacia, Shanghai, China) column (1.5 by 60 cm), and the polysaccharides were eluted with 50 mmol/L phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, at a rate of 1 mL/min. Fractions containing polysaccharides were collected, and the total sugar contents of the fraction were determined by the phenol-sulfuric acid method.…”