Blockage of filoviral glycoprotein processing by use of a protein-based inhibitor

Cleavage of the glycoproteins of many virus species by furin and other host cell proteases is required for virus infectivity and, hence, determines viral pathogenicity. Proteolytic processing of Marburg virus and Ebola virus glycoproteins is also mediated by furin; however, for Ebola virus, in contrast to other viruses, glycoprotein cleavage is dispensable for replication in vitro, as has been shown in previous studies. In the present study, by use of a highly potent and selective furin inhibitor, we demonstrate that glycoprotein cleavage inhibition results in a minimal reduction in the virus titer that is insufficient to block filoviral replication. Thus, furin inhibitors are unlikely to be effective in the treatment of filoviral infections.