2-deoxy-D-glucose inhibition of herpes simplex virus type-1 receptor expression

Growth of HEp-2 cells in 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) supplemented media decreased the cells' binding capacity for herpes simplex virus type-1 KOS(HSV-1) but not vesicular stomatitis virus. HEp-2 cells tolerated up to 30 mM 2-DOG, but 2-DOG was toxic for Vero cells over 2 mM. The reduction in binding was maintained for at least 24 h even after careful removal of the inhibitor and growth in normal media. Complete regeneration of the receptor sites on HEp-2 cells was observed 8 h after mild trypsinization of cells grown in either normal or the 2-DOG supplemented media. Specific glycoprotein characteristics of the HSV-1 binding site were indicated by its inactivation upon trypsinization (0.1 mg per 5 X 10(5) cells for 30 s) and blocking by wheat germ agglutinin but not limulin. These results suggest that 2-DOG inhibits the proper expression of cell surface glycoprotein HSV-1 receptor sites on HEp-2 cells.