Dogfish Squalamine as a broad-spectrum systemic antiviral agent

Published online before print on September 19, 2011

Squalamine as a broad-spectrum systemic antiviral agent with therapeutic potential

Michael Zasloff et al.

ABSTRACT:

Antiviral compounds that increase the resistance of host tissues represent an attractive class of therapeutic.
Here, we show that squalamine, a compound previously isolated from the tissues of the dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) and the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human pathogens, which were studied in vitro as well as in vivo.
Both RNA- and DNA-enveloped viruses are shown to be susceptible. The proposed mechanism involves the capacity of squalamine, a cationic amphipathic sterol, to neutralize the negative electrostatic surface charge of intracellular membranes in a way that renders the cell less effective in supporting viral replication.
Because squalamine can be readily synthesized and has a known safety profile in man, we believe its potential as a broad-spectrum human antiviral agent should be explored.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), doi:10.1073/pnas.1108558108

SOURCE: PNAS OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE (PDF Download)

 

 

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