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

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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.

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Revised version: 19 July 2001

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Ewart, G.D., Mills, K., Cox, G.B. et al. Amiloride derivatives block ion channel activity and enhancement of virus-like particle budding caused by HIV-1 protein Vpu. Eur Biophys J 31, 26–35 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002490100177

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002490100177

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