Novel blockade of cell surface expression of virus glycoproteins by leucinostatin A

The nonapeptide leucinostatin A (LSA) inhibited syncytium formation without profoundly affecting HN glycoprotein synthesis in Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-infected BHK cells. At similar doses of LSA, cytopathic effect and infectious virus production were suppressed in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected BHK cells. Blockade by LSA of cell surface expression of NDV-HN and VSV-G glycoproteins was demonstrated, accompanied by intracellular accumulation of these virus glycoproteins. LSA acts as an inhibitor of mitochondrial F-type H(+)-translocating ATPase, a key enzyme in the generation of ATP, but its action against cell surface expression of virus glycoproteins was independent of the depletion of intracellular ATP. LSA also acts as an ionophore, but its action on intoxication by ricin and diphtheria toxin was different from that of monensin. This novel action of LSA is expected to be useful in investigation of the mechanism of intracellular trafficking of proteins.