We report the design of two peptides derived from Natterins venom proteins that exhibit significant antimicrobial efficacy, low cytotoxicity and stability, and show potential antiviral activity in vitro.
These findings support venom-derived peptide design as a promising strategy for developing new antimicrobial agents with broad therapeutic potential.
We identify that the N-terminal phenylalanine (F103) of the parainfluenza fusion peptide is critical for membrane insertion and fusion activity, while glutamine (Q120) importantly modulates peptide-peptide interactions within the membrane. Substitutions at these residues significantly alter peptide interaction with lipid bilayers, providing insight into mechanistic drivers of viral membrane fusion.
(Valério M et al., 2025, RSC Chemical Biology)
We report that the clinically used porphyrin derivatives verteporfin and temoporfin can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduce viral load in infected cells by disrupting the viral envelope.
We review antiviral peptide–drug conjugates, particularly cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)–drug conjugates, as a strategy to enhance delivery and performance where conventional antivirals face limitations.
We report a rationally engineered cyclic peptide, [G1K,K8R]cGm, with strong, concentration-dependent killing of cells, alongside biofilm-wide membrane permeabilization.
(Dias SA et al., 2022, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 77(12), 3256–3264)
We report one conjugate, PP-P1, able to cross both blood–placental and/or blood–brain barriers, and has shown to be effective against Zika Virus.
We have tackled the synthesis of peptide–porphyrin conjugates capable of transpose the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and with potential antiviral activity. Three of the peptide–porphyrin conjugates are able to reach the brain and effectively inhibit HIV infectivity in vitro.
(Mendonça DA et al., 2021, Bioconjug Chem, 32(6):1067-1077)
2022. “ANTI-INFECTIVE CONJUGATE FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION”. Germany.
2024. “ANTI-VIRAL CONJUGATES”. Portugal.
“Integrative Human Biochemistry – A Textbook for Medical Biochemistry”,
By Andrea T. Da Poian and Miguel A. R. B. Castanho (Collaboration between iMM and UFRJ)
2nd Edition, Springer (New York, USA), 2021
– “Integrative Human Biochemistry” has a pedagogical approach to the training in medical biochemistry and contributes to the scientific literacy not only of students but also of everyone that loves science and research, taking the legacy of NOVIRUSES2BRAIN far beyond the project itself.
– This book describes how the scientific method is applied (showing historical cases), how scientific research progresses (giving several examples of drug research) and how it surrounds us in the simplest things of our daily lives, without neglecting scientific rigor.
– Additionally, this edition includes 30 challenging practical case studies based on movies, novels, biographies, documentaries, paintings, and other cultural and artistic creations far beyond academic exercises.
