Ribonuclease from Bacillus pumilus Prevents HSV-1 Entrance into the Cell and Reproduction

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is a highly contagious worldwide prevalent infection, which, once it enters the organism, persists during its whole lifetime. According to World Health Organization estimates, about 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 years (90% of the human population) are infected with by HSV-1 worldwide. The important role played by ribonucleases (RNases) in protection of the cell and whole organism from viruses has been confirmed by a considerable body of data that allow considering RNases not only as immune system components, but also as a basis for development of the new antiviral drugs. The purpose of the present work was to demonstrate the antiviral activity of the RNase from Bacillus pumilus (binase) toward HSV-1 at the cell entrance and reproduction stages. Virus treatment with binase in the concentration of 100 μg/mL for 60 min reduced virus replication in the bovine kidney epithelial cell culture MDBK by 100 times compared with untreated virus. Development of cytopathic effects produced by untreated virus in the cells grown on the medium with binase was retarded by 7 h compared with the growth of virus-infected cells on the medium without binase. It may be suggested that HSV-1 treatment with RNases reduces its ability to enter the cell; antiviral action of RNases toward the intracellular virus is realized at the initial stage of virus reproduction.