Transmissible gastroenteritis virus: Identification of M protein-binding peptide ligands with antiviral and diagnostic potential

Authors

Hao Zou, Northeast Agricultural University
Dante S. Zarlenga, Agricultural Research Service
Karol Sestak, Tulane National Primate Research Center
Siqingaowa Suo, Northeast Agricultural University
Xiaofeng Ren, Northeast Agricultural UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

7-2-2013

Citation

2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comments

H. Zou et al. / Antiviral Research 99 (2013) 383–390

Abstract

The membrane (M) protein is one of the major structural proteins of coronavirus particles. In this study, the M protein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) was used to biopan a 12-mer phage display random peptide library. Three phages expressing TGEV-M-binding peptides were identified and characterized in more depth. A phage-based immunosorbent assay (phage-ELISA) capable of differentiating TGEV from other coronaviruses was developed using one phage, phTGEV-M7, as antigen. When the phage-ELISA was compared to conventional antibody-based ELISA for detecting infections, phage-ELISA exhibited greater sensitivity. A chemically synthesized, TGEV-M7 peptide (pepTGEV-M7; HALTPIKYIPPG) was evaluated for antiviral activity. Plaque-reduction assays revealed that pepTGEV-M7 was able to prevent TGEV infection in vitro (p < 0.01) following pretreatment of the virus with the peptide. Indirect immunofluorescence and real-time RT-PCR confirmed the inhibitory effects of the peptide. These results indicate that pepTGEV-M7 might be utilized for virus-specific diagnostics and treatment.