THE IN-VITRO EFFECT OF MONENSIN ON BK POLYOMAVIRUS REPLICATION

The in vitro effect of monensin, a linear polyether, on the infection of Vero cells by BK polyomavirus, was investigated. Data reported in t his paper showed an inhibition of BK viral replication by monensin as monitored by immunofluorescence and molecular hybridization. The inhib ition of the synthesis of viral nuclear T antigen and the lack of prod uction of viral mRNAs in monensin-treated cells suggest that the effec t of this ionophore takes place at the level of the viral DNA delivery , by blocking the uncoating of BK virus or its transport to the nucleu s.