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Inhibition of DNA Synthesis in Varicella‐Zoster Virus‐Infected Cells by BV‐araU
Author(s) -
Machida Haruhiko,
Watanabe Yoko
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0385-5600
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1991.tb01541.x
Subject(s) - thymidine , dna synthesis , biology , herpes simplex virus , dna , virus , virology , varicella zoster virus , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , aciclovir , herpesviridae , biochemistry , viral disease
The inhibitory effect of BV‐araU on DNA synthesis in human embryonic lung cells infected with varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) was compared with that of acyclovir. Cellular uptake of [ 3 H]thymidine and its incorporation into DNA was markedly stimulated by the infection with VZV or HSV‐1, suggesting that the incorporation was mainly due to viral DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis in VZV‐infected cells was dose‐dependently suppressed by BV‐araU and acyclovir, although cellular uptake of [ 3 H]thymidine decreased in cells treated with a high concentration of drugs for an extended time. DNA synthesis in HSV‐1‐infected cells was also markedly inhibited by both drugs in a dose‐dependent manner, without affecting cellular uptake of [ 3 H]thymidine. The concentration of drugs inhibiting DNA synthesis was well correlated to their in vitro anti‐VZV and anti‐HSV‐1 activities. The inhibitory concentration of BV‐araU for DNA synthesis in VZV‐infected cells was one‐thousandth of that of acyclovir. Our results suggest that the antiviral action of BV‐araU against VZV and HSV‐1 is based on the inhibition of DNA synthesis in herpesvirus‐infected cells.