-Aminosulfonic Acids and Viral Propagation.

Abstract

Three alpha-aminosulfonic acids (alpha-aminbphenylmethanesulfonic, alpha-amino -beta-phenylethane-sulfonic acid, and alpha-amino-p-methoxyphenylmethanesulfonic acid) at a concn. of 5 x 10-4 [image] caused marked inhibition of synthesis of influenza virus in tissue culture. In the embryonate egg 8 mg. of each compound completely inhibited the multiplication of influenza virus, although the 50% lethal dose for eggs of alpha -amino -p- methoxyphenylmethanesulfonic acid was approx. 30 mg. per egg. Under special conditions, alpha-amino-beta-phenylethanesulfonic acid afforded some protection to mice which were infected with the WS strain of Type A influenza virus. These sulfonic acids are not.virucidal, they do not affect the respiration of tissues cultured in the Warburg flask, and their inhibitory action is not reversed by tyrosine nor phenylalanine to which they are structurally related. Ammonium ions, bisulfite ions, and p-methoxybenzaldehyde did not affect viral propagation. A possible mode of action of these amino acid analogs is discussed.