Amiloride derivatives block ion channel activity and enhancement of virus-like particle budding caused by HIV-1 protein Vpu

Eur Biophys J. 2002 Mar;31(1):26-35. doi: 10.1007/s002490100177.

Abstract

The Vpu protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 forms cation-selective ion channels and enhances the process of virion budding and release. Mutagenesis studies have shown that the N-terminal transmembrane domain primarily controls both of these activities. Here we report that the Vpu ion channel is inhibited by the amiloride derivatives 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride and 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride but not by amiloride itself, nor by amantadine. Hexamethyleneamiloride also inhibits budding of virus-like particles from HeLa cells expressing HIV-1 Gag and Vpu proteins. These results confirm the link between Vpu ion channel activity and the budding process and also suggest that amiloride derivatives might have useful anti-HIV-1 properties.

MeSH terms

  • Amiloride / analogs & derivatives*
  • Amiloride / pharmacology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / growth & development
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • vpu protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride
  • 5-dimethylamiloride
  • Amiloride