Effect of expressing an anti-HIV lectin, Griffithsin, in different plant cellular compartments

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV, and the majority of new infections from heterosexual contact are in women. Griffithsin (GRFT), a lectin isolated from the red algae Griffithsia, has shown extreme potency against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in vitro in very low quantities. The molecular target of GRFT is the high mannose residues on the viral gp120 coat protein. Low cost production of GRFT and other anti-HIV drugs at minimal costs is crucial seeing that the high demand for anti-HIV drugs reside in poor developing countries.