Suppression of the proteolytic activation of myxoviruses in infected chick embryos by using aprotinin
Zhirnov, O.P.; Ovcharenko, A.V.; Bukrinskaia, A.G.
Voprosy Virusologii 30(2): 207-214
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0507-4088 PMID: 2408386 Document Number: 243206
The mandatory step in reproduction of myxoviruses (influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses) is proteolytic shearing of viral glycoproteins activating the infectivity of virions. Such activation of myxoviruses is realized by trypsin-like proteases of the host. This study demonstrated that proteolytic activation of virions could be inhibited by a physiological inhibitor of proteases, aprotinine. A single injection of aprotinine (preparations Gordox or Contrycal) into chick embryos infected with various influenza viruses (WSN/34, Udorn/72) and paramyxoviruses (Sendai/960, NDV/La Sota, NDV/Queensland) blocked shearing of viral glycoproteins, HA, FO, HNO as a result of which noninfectious virions with unsheared glycoproteins were predominantly synthesized. In aprotinine-treated embryos, multicycle virus infection was markedly decreased which led to the 10(4)-fold or greater reduction of the virus yield. The antiviral effect of protease inhibitors and possibilities of their practical use in viral diseases are discussed.