A model for screening anti-viral agents based on yeast killer system

Abstract:

Altering -1 frameshifting efficiency of L-A virus in yeast T158c/S14a will result in loss of M1 virus and reduction of toxin K1，which induced a diminished of inhibition zone. According to the size of inhibition zone on methylene blue flat with low pH，a model for screening anti-viral agents was developed. The conditions of assaying killing activity by well test assay were explored. With assaying the killing activity in different pH and temperature，it was found that the optimum pH range of 4.3～4.7 and the optimum temperature range of 20～22℃ in this screening model. To utilize this screening model，Several Chinese crude drugs had been studied and were found Flos Lonicerae and Rhizoma Cimicifugae have anti-viral effect. Such a model was to establish foundation for high throughput screening of anti-viral agents.