ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF 2-HYDROXY FATTY-ACIDS

Following an earlier demonstration of an antiviral effect against vari cella-zoster virus (VZV, human herpesvirus 3) using 2-hydroxymyristic acid (2-hydroxytetradecanoic acid; 2-HM), an inhibitor of protein myri stoylation, both 2-HM and 2-hydroxypalmitic acid (2-hydroxyhexadecanoi c acid; 2-HP) have been tested against a range of viruses. Although bo th compounds inhibit the replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV; h uman herpesvirus 3) they do not inhibit the replication of closely rel ated herpesviruses. They do, however, inhibit the replication of both poliovirus (a member of the Picornaviridae) and the human immunodefici ency virus type 1 (HIV-1; a member of the Retroviridae), Neither compo und is toxic to adherent cells by dye uptake assay, although limited t oxicity is apparent to non-adherent cell lines at high concentrations, The mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, A diminished e ffect of 2-hydroxymyristic acid when the compound is dissolved in dime thyl sulphoxide (DMSO) rather than ethanol is reported, and the implic ations for the use of DMSO as a 'universal solvent' for compound scree ning noted. Finally, it is suggested that targeting of 'virus-essentia l' cellular functions may provide an alternative route for inhibiting viral replication.