Peptide "Ulumin" contained in the mucus of a frog inhabiting South India destroys influenza A virus

A component destroying the influenza virus was found from secretions of frogs inhabiting southern India. It is expected to be applied to vaccines and therapeutic drugs in the future.

An Amphibian Host Defense Peptide Is Virucidal for Human H1 Hemagglutinin-Bearing Influenza Viruses: Immunity
http://www.cell.com/immunity/abstract/S1074-7613(17)30128-0

South Indian frog oozes molecule that inexplicably decimates flu viruses | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/04/south-indian-frog-oozes-molecule-that-inexplicably-decimates-flu-viruses/

To frog mucusReproductive toxicity, And it is a scientific journal related to immunology that this sticks to and destroys some influenza virus particlesImmunityIt was announced above.

Although it is the epidemic of the flu that comes on regularly every year, its kind is many, even if it is inoculated with a vaccine it can not prevent infection unless it matches the virus. In addition, the number of drug resistant species is increasing, and many researchers think that "the development of new antiviral drugs is urgent".

A researcher at the Emory University in the United States, "known for having antibacterial agent secretion"Hydrophylax bahuvistaraI investigated the mucus of a frog named fish. As a result of the investigation, it became clear that the four components in mucus destroyed the influenza virus, one of which is harmless to human erythrocytes. This ingredient is Indian martial art ·Kalari PayatSword of a shape like a whip used in "UlmiBecause it has a shape similar to "Ulmin" is called. It seems that ulmin acts strongly and accurately, it does not harm other viruses and cells, it can destroy influenza virus only. It is expected that it will not adversely affect the human body, so it is expected to be applied to future vaccines and therapeutic drugs. However, as it is unclear at present how this peptide works, It is said there is a need to advance research investigation. In addition, Ars Technica, an international news media, says "It may not be necessary to vaccinate influenza."


As a result of experiments on urmin, it turned out that this ingredient can damage the mouse influenza. Ulmin breaks the influenza virus by targeting hemagglutinin (HA) which is a candy type protein protruding from the surface of virus particles. There are 18 types of HA in influenza virus, but Ulmin targets H1 type hemagglutinin, so it destroys H1 hemagglutinin-bearing influenza A virus.

Also, it is interesting that Ulmin is targeted not only at the head of HA extending from the virus particle but also on the stem further inside. Influenza virus is easy to change head of HA, but the stem part is highly invariant, Ulmin is targeted here, so it is also effective against drug resistant A influenza virus.

The following pictures are influenza virus particles, protrusions extending from the spherical surface are HA. The bulge of the tip of the HA is the "head", and the thin tube part that supports it is the "stem".

ByBen dalton

It has also been confirmed that Ulmin explodes the influenza virus by using an electron microscope. Normally, a component that reacts with HA seems to play a role of simply blocking HA and preventing the virus from invading the cell, but Ulmin seems to destroy the virus altogether. Currently the reason is not known, but researchers set up the hypothesis that "Ulmin binds to hyaluronan and then plays the electrostatic force on the particle surface to rupture the entire virus?" It seems to be.

In addition, we have also succeeded in actually protecting experimental mice from infection with influenza virus, and Ulmin has the unique characteristic of anti-influenza virus targeted to hemagglutinin as well as influenza vaccine used worldwide It has been confirmed that it has.

In addition, researchers are discussing the necessity of follow-up research.