Inhibition of influenza virus uncoating by rimantadine hydrochloride

Abstract

In freeze-thaw lysates of [Madin-Darby canine kidney] MDCK cells infected with 32P-labeled influenza virus A/WSN in the presence of added RNase, acid-precipitable radioactivity diminished to about 50% of initial values within 90 min after a 1 h virus adsorption period. A similar preparation containing rimantadine at a concentration of 50 .mu.g/ml exhibited only a 10% reduction in acid-precipitable radioactivity. Rimantadine probably interferes with uncoating of influenza virus in infected cells.