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J Virol. 1974 April; 13(4): 881-887
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Effect of D-Penicillamine on Poliovirus Replication In HeLa Cells

¹ Department of Medicine, New York Medical College and the Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461

ABSTRACT

A series of mercaptan compounds were studied with respect to their ability to inhibit the growth of poliovirus in cultured cells. Of the compounds tested only D-penicillamine possessed antiviral activity. There was no direct effect on the virus itself, nor were the processes of adsorption, penetration and uncoating, or virus-induced "shut-off" of host cell protein synthesis inhibited. At concentrations where there was no effect on host cell RNA or protein synthesis, D-penicillamine caused a marked inhibition of virus-specific RNA and protein synthesis. Although much reduced, the relative concentrations of single-stranded and double-stranded viral RNA synthesized in the presence of D-penicillamine was unchanged. Similarly, all apparent precursor and cleavage product proteins could be synthesized in the presence of the drug. The inhibitory effect was reversible, after a lag of 1.5 to 2 h after removal of the drug, and normal yields of virus could be obtained. The structural and functional properties of D-penicillamine are discussed in relation to requirements for anti-polioviral activity.