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Scytonema varium
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Cyanobacteria
Class:	Cyanophyceae
Order:	Nostocales
Family:	Scytonemataceae
Genus:	Scytonema
Species:	S. varium
Binomial name
Scytonema varium Kützing, 1849

Scytonema varium is a cultured cyanobacterium of the genus Scytonema. It is one of many anti viral protein producing algae. In a similar manner to Cyanovirin-N from Nostoc Ellipsosporum and griffithsin from the red algae Griffithsia, Scytonema varium secretes the broad-spectrum antiviral protein scytovirin which can inactivate both the HIV virus, and Ebola virus, offering hope of treatment for many diseases with viral etiology (cause). It is currently being investigated as a topical microbicide for HIV prophylaxis.

References

1. ^ Bokesch HR, O'Keefe BR, McKee TC, Pannell LK, Patterson GM, Gardella RS, Sowder RC 2nd, Turpin J, Watson K, Buckheit RW Jr, Boyd MR (Mar 2003). "A potent novel anti-HIV protein from the cultured cyanobacterium Scytonema varium". Biochemistry. 42 (9): 2578–84. doi:10.1021/bi0205698. PMID 12614152.
2. Garrison, A. R.; Giomarelli, B. G.; Lear-Rooney, C. M.; Saucedo, C. J.; Yellayi, S; Krumpe, L. R.; Rose, M; Paragas, J; Bray, M; Olinger Jr, G. G.; McMahon, J. B.; Huggins, J; O'Keefe, B. R. (2014). "The cyanobacterial lectin scytovirin displays potent in vitro and in vivo activity against Zaire Ebola virus". Antiviral Research. 112C: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.09.012. PMC 4258435. PMID 25265598.
3. Xiong C; O'Keefe BR; Botos I; Wlodawer A; McMahon JB (Apr 2006). "Overexpression and purification of scytovirin, a potent, novel anti-HIV protein from the cultured cyanobacterium Scytonema varium". Protein Expr Purif. 46 (2): 233–9. doi:10.1016/j.pep.2005.09.019. PMID 16289703.

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