Analysis of the possible effect of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus skin secretion components as interferents on the rabies virus penetration in mammalian cells

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonosis distributed worldwide, characterized as a lethal progressive acute encephalitis, which affects a wide variety of mammals. The etiologic agent of this disease, Rabies virus (RV), is a bullet-shaped neurotropic enveloped virus. After exposure to the virus, the replication, in muscular tissues, followed by migration of the virus to nerve endings occur, in a process possibly mediated by acetylcholine receptors. On the other hand, different organisms have been used as sources of biologically active substances, from which components with therapeutic action can be obtained. Recently, a molecule with anticancer activity was identified in the skin secretion of Lepdodactylus labyrinthicus. Due to the likely presence of other bioactive molecules in this secretion, such as alkaloids, and in face of the necessity of new therapeutic approaches for the rabies treatment, this study aims to identify possible acetylcholine analogues present in the skin secretion of L. labyrinthicus which may compete with the RV for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, preventing its penetration in host cells. In order to achieve this goal, the skin secretion will be submitted to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and the isolated molecules will be characterized and identified by mass spectrometry and will have its biological effect assessed by the evaluation of the possible neutralizing effect on RV through tests based on Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) and Simplified Fluorescent Inhibition Microtest (SFIMT). (AU)