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The ionophore monensin inhibits mouse polyomavirus DNA replication and destabilizes viral early mRNAs

A Iacoangeli1, G Melucci-Vigo, G Risuleo

  • 1Dipartimento di Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Biochimie
|March 16, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Monensin, an ionophore, inhibits viral DNA replication by reducing viral early messenger RNA stability. This leads to decreased viral early antigens and halts viral DNA synthesis in mouse polyomavirus.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Monensin is an ionophore compound with diverse biological activities.
  • It affects intracellular pH, membrane transport, and protein secretion.
  • Monensin is known to inhibit the proliferation of various RNA and DNA viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of monensin on viral DNA replication.
  • To determine the impact of monensin on viral early messenger RNA (mRNA) stability.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which monensin inhibits mouse polyomavirus DNA synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of mouse polyomavirus-infected cells with monensin.
  • Analysis of viral DNA replication.
  • Measurement of viral early mRNA half-life using quantitative techniques.

Main Results:

  • Monensin effectively abolished viral DNA replication of mouse polyomavirus.
  • The half-life of viral early mRNAs was significantly reduced in the presence of monensin.
  • A reduced intranuclear pool of viral early antigens was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Monensin inhibits mouse polyomavirus DNA synthesis.
  • The reduction in viral DNA synthesis is attributed to decreased viral early mRNA stability.
  • This leads to a diminished pool of viral early antigens, ultimately halting viral DNA replication.

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