Virucidal effect of sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate on influenza viruses attributable to inhibition of virus particle-associated RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
Sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) caused a noticeable reduction of infectivity of prototype strains of type A and Lee strain of type B influenza viruses at concentrations of 100 and 200 mug/ml, respectively, after an incubation at 37 C for 60 min. The virucidal effect on A/AA/2/60 (H2N2) strain was dependent on the concentration of the drug and temperature as well as on the time of incubation. The reagent exerted this effect at a concentration which induced little change in the hemagglutinating and neuraminidase activities of the virus. PCMB inhibited by 50% the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity of all prototype strains of type A influenza virus at about 2 mug/ml and that of Lee strain of type B influenza virus at 8.5 mug/ml. Other sulfhydryl reagent such as phenylmercuric nitrate also exhibited virucidal effect on A/AA/2/60 virus which paralleled their inhibition of the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity. From these results it was considered likely that the virucidal action of PCMB on influenza viruses was attributable to inhibition of the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity.
D002729:Chloromercuribenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D002729:Chloromercuribenzoates; D013439:Sulfhydryl Reagents; D012316:RNA Nucleotidyltransferases; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase