Inhibition of host extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation decreases new world alphavirus multiplication in infected cells

Journal Article · Sat Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Virology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.VIROL.2014.09.005· OSTI ID:22435074

Voss, Kelsey; Amaya, Moushimi ^[1]; Mueller, Claudius ^[2]; Roberts, Brian ^[3]; Kehn-Hall, Kylene; Bailey, Charles ^[1]; Petricoin, Emanuel ^[2]; Narayanan, Aarthi ^[1]

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1. National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10650 Pyramid Place, Manassas, VA (United States)
2. Center for Applied Proteomics and Personalized Medicine, George Mason University, 10900 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA (United States)
3. Leidos Health Life Sciences, 5202 Presidents Court, Suite 110, Frederick, MD (United States)

New World alphaviruses belonging to the family Togaviridae are classified as emerging infectious agents and Category B select agents. Our study is focused on the role of the host extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the infectious process of New World alphaviruses. Infection of human cells by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) results in the activation of the ERK-signaling cascade. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by the small molecule inhibitor Ag-126 results in inhibition of viral multiplication. Ag-126-mediated inhibition of VEEV was due to potential effects on early and late stages of the infectious process. While expression of viral proteins was down-regulated in Ag-126 treated cells, we did not observe any influence of Ag-126 on the nuclear distribution of capsid. Finally, Ag-126 exerted a broad-spectrum inhibitory effect on New World alphavirus multiplication, thus indicating that the host kinase, ERK, is a broad-spectrum candidate for development of novel therapeutics against New World alphaviruses. - Highlights: • VEEV infection activated multiple components of the ERK signaling cascade. • Inhibition of ERK activation using Ag-126 inhibited VEEV multiplication. • Activation of ERK by Ceramide C6 increased infectious titers of TC-83. • Ag-126 inhibited virulent strains of all New World alphaviruses. • Ag-126 treatment increased percent survival of infected cells.

• OSTI ID: 22435074
• Journal Information: Virology, Journal Name: Virology Vol. 468-470; ISSN VIRLAX; ISSN 0042-6822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
DISTRIBUTION
ENCEPHALITIS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
HOST
INHIBITION
MOLECULES
PROTEINS
SIGNALS
STRAINS
VIRUSES