Cyanovirin-N, also known as CV-N, is a type of medicine called a fusion inhibitor. Cyanovirin-N is being studied as a microbicide. Microbicides are substances that protect the body from infection by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Microbicides work by either destroying the microbes or preventing them from establishing an infection.
HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Cyanovirin-N is an investigational medicine that is not yet approved by the FDA for use outside of clinical trials. It is being studied for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV infection. This medicine does not cure HIV infection or AIDS and is being studied to reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.
Dosage Form/Administration
Cyanovirin-N comes in a vaginal gel.
Contraindications
Individuals should tell a doctor about any medical problems before taking this medicine.
Possible Side Effects
Along with its desired effects, cyanovirin-N may cause some unwanted effects. In laboratory studies, cyanovirin-N has not been harmful to human cells. However, cyanovirin-N has not yet been studied in clinical trials and its side effects are not known.
Drug and Food Interactions
A doctor should be notified of any other medications being taken, including prescription, nonprescription (over-the-counter), or herbal medications.
Clinical Trials
Click here to search ClinicalTrials.gov for trials that use Cyanovirin-N.
Manufacturer Information
Cyanovirin-N
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc
3490 Oyster Point Boulevard
Suite 200
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-616-2200
Last Updated: February 12, 2008
Drug Description
Cyanovirin-N, also known as CV-N, is a protein from the cyanobacterium Nostoc ellipsosporum (blue-green algae). The protein exists as either a quasi-symmetric, two-domain monomer or a domain-swapped dimer. [1]
References
[1] Cell Mol Life Sci 2003 Feb;60(2):277-87
HIV/AIDS-Related Uses
Cyanovirin-N is a potent HIV fusion inhibitor with activity against both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in vitro and in animal models. [1] It is in preclinical development as a microbicide for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. [2]
References
[1] National Synchrotron Light Source Newsroom: Publications-Structures of the Complexes of a Potent Anti-HIV Protein Cyanovirin-N and High-Mannose Oligosaccharides. Available at: http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/newsroom/publications/activityreport/2003/pdf/sh_life_sci_1.pdf. Accessed 2/12/08.
[2] CONRAD New Licensing Agreement to Maximize AIDS Drug Development [Press Release], February 1, 2006. Available at: http://www.conrad.org/press/02012006.htm. Accessed 2/12/08.
Dosing Information
Mode of Delivery
Intravaginal. [1]
Dosage Form
Topical gel. Preclinical studies are evaluating 0.5%, 1%, and 2% preparations in aqueous gel with hydroxyethyl cellulose. [2]
References
[1] Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2002 Aug;11(3):1077-97
[2] AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2004;20(1):11-18
Pharmacology
Cyanovirin-N is a protein derived from cultures of the cyanobacterium, (blue-green algae) Nostoc ellipsosporum. [1]
Cyanovirin-N binds to certain high-mannose oligosaccharides (oligomannose-8 and oligomannose-9) on viral surface envelope glycoprotein gp120, blocking its interaction with cellular receptors. This unique and effectively irreversible interaction renders gp120 incapable of mediating virus-to-cell or cell-to-cell fusion. [2] [3] Cyanovirin interacts with one sugar at a primary binding site with high affinity and to another sugar (a secondary binding site) with low affinity. In addition, cyanovirin-N appears to bind to viral oligosaccharides with high affinity and to mammalian oligosaccharides with low affinity, potentially providing potent inactivation of HIV-1 and -2 without potent adverse effects to the body. [4]
Cyanovirin-N's anti-HIV effects are expressed during the initial binding or fusion process. These effects may occur after the initial virus-to-cell attachment phase, but prior to the completion of viral entry and replication. [5]
References
[1] ChemIDplus Cyanovirin-N. Available at: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp. Accessed 2/12/08.
[2] Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003 Aug;47(8):2518-25
[3] Peptide 2004;25(4):551-61
[4] National Synchrotron Light Source Newsroom: Publications-Structures of the Complexes of a Potent Anti-HIV Protein Cyanovirin-N and High-Mannose Oligosaccharides. Available at: http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/newsroom/publications/activityreport/2003/pdf/sh_life_sci_1.pdf. Accessed 2/12/08.
[5] Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1997 Jul;41(7):1521-30
Clinical Trials
Click here to search ClinicalTrials.gov for trials that use Cianovirina-N.
Chemistry
CAS Number
184539-38-6 [1]
Molecular Weight
11 kDa
References
[1] ChemIDplus Available at: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp. Accessed 2/12/08.
Further Reading
Botos I, Wlodawer A. Cyanovirin-N: a sugar-binding antiviral protein with a new twist. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2003 Feb;60(2):277-87. Review. PMID: 12678493
Tsai CC, Emau P, Jiang Y, Agy MB, Shattock RJ, Schmidt A, Morton WR, Gustafson KR, Boyd MR. Cyanovirin-N inhibits AIDS virus infections in vaginal transmission models. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2004 Jan;20(1):11-18. PMID: 15000694
Tziveleka LA, Vagias C, Roussis V. Natural products with anti-HIV activity from marine organisms. Curr Top Med Chem. 2003;3(13):1512-35. PMID: 14529524
Manufacturer Information
Cyanovirin-N
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc
3490 Oyster Point Boulevard
Suite 200
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-616-2200
Last Updated: February 12, 2008