Inhibition of glycoprotein traffic through the secretory pathway by ceramide

Incubation of vesicular stomatitis virus-infected cells with short-chain, cell-permeable ceramide (Cer) analogs decreased the rate of viral glycoprotein transport through the Golgi complex and reduced the number of infectious virions released from cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects appeared to be caused directly by Cer, rather than by one of its metabolites. Cer treatment also disrupted the Golgi apparatus within 1 h, although cells treated for up to 24 h with Cer remained viable. Our results suggest that endogenous Cer may modulate secretory protein traffic and that exogenously added Cer analogs may be useful as antiviral agents.