THE EFFECTS OF OLIGOSACCHARIDE TRIMMING INHIBITORS ON GLYCOPROTEIN EXPRESSION AND INFECTIVITY OF JUNIN VIRUS

The effects of specific inhibitors of glycoprotein trimming reactions on Junin virus (JV) replication were investigated. Bromoconduritol, an inhibitor of glucosidase II, significantly reduced infective virus pr oduction (DE50: 1.1 mM) and viral protein expression. Neither 1-deoxyn ojirimycin, an inhibitor of both glucosidases I and II, nor 1-deoxyman nojirimycin and swainsonine, inhibitors of mannosidase I and II, respe ctively, showed any activity against JV multiplication. These results are the first evidence that the acquisition of a complex form of the e nvelope glycoprotein oligosaccharide chains is not essential for JV in fectivity. The effect of bromoconduritol was reversible and probably d ue to the formation of an unstable intermediate oligosaccharide struct ure which may be more sensitive to degradative proteolysis.