Concanamycin A blocks influenza virus entry into cells under acidic conditions

The selective inhibitor of the vacuolar proton-ATPase, concanamycin A, powerfully blocks influenza virus entry into cells, if present during the initial times of virus infection. Attachment of virus particles to cells is not prevented by concanamycin A, rather the exit of influenza virus from endosomes is the step blocked by this macrolide antibiotic. Inhibition of influenza virus entry into cells by concanamycin A or by nigericin takes place under acidic conditions. Moreover, if the pH gradient is abolished by pre-incubation of cells in acidic pH, influenza virus entry does not occur even in the absence of any inhibitors. These results indicate that acidic conditions per se are not sufficient to promote virus entry into cells; rather this step of virus infection requires a pH gradient.