Anti - herpes simplex virus type 2 activity of the antimicrobial peptide subtilosin

QUINTANA VM; TORRES NI; WACHSNMAN MB; SINKO PJ; CASTILLA V; CHIKINDAS M

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

Blackwell Science

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2014 vol. 117 p. 1253 - 1259

1365-2672

Aims: In the present study we evaluated the antiviral activity of subtilosin, a cyclical peptide isolated from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in cell cultures and we investigated subtilosin mode of action. Methods and Results: We determined, using a virus yield inhibition assay, that non cytotoxic concentrations of subtilosin inhibit HSV-2 replication in Vero cell cultures. Subtilosin strongly inhibited extracellular and total virus production even when it was added at 8 h post-infection indicating that not only virus release but also viral particle formation is impeded by the antiviral peptide. Although viral glycoprotein gD level of expression is not affected by the bacteriocin, an altered pattern of gD intracellular localization was detected by immunofluorescence assay in subtilosin treated culture. On the other hand, at high concentrations subtilosin displays virucidal action. Conclusions: Subtilosin displays antiviral and virucidal actions against HSV-2. The target of subtilosin inhibitory effect would be late stages of the viral replicative cycle such as viral glycoprotein intracellular transport. Significance and Impact of Study: Given its antimicrobial activity and its safety for human tissues, subtilosin could represent a valuable alternative to be considered in the development of new microbicide formulations.