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.
Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.
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Rosenwald
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Pagano
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D016466:CHO Cells; D002518:Ceramides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014771:Virion
D002518:Ceramides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D014764:Viral Proteins