Rapana venosa hemocyanin with antiviral activity

Abstract

Molluscan hemocyanins (Hcs) have recently particular interest due to their significant immunostimulatory properties. This is mainly related to their high carbohydrate content and highly specific monosaccharide composition. Our study revealed a highly heterogeneous mixture of different glycans isolation from structural subunit RvH2 of Rapana venosa hemocyanin at least 28 different compositions of Hex0-9 HexNAc2-4 Hex0-3 Pent0-3 Fuc0-3 and deoxyhexose and pentose residues. A novel type of N-glycan, with an internal Fuc connecting one GalNAc(β1–2) and one hexuronic acid, was detected in RvH2 as was previously found in subunit RvH1. We compared investigation on antiviral effects of several molluscas hemocyanins (keyhole limpet hemocyanin, Rapana venosa hemocyanin and Helix vulgaris hemocyanin) and the arthropod Carcinus aestuarii hemocanin. For the first time, we demonstrate here the inhibitory effect of one glycosylated functional unit of molluscan hemocyanin against viruses. The FU RvH-1 of Rapana venosa hemocyanin is the most effective inhibitor on the replication of Herpes simplex virus type 1, strain Vic, (HSV-1). © 2009 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.