A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Akt inhibitor MK2206 prevents influenza pH1N1 virus infection in vitro
Authors: Oxana V. Denisova, Sandra Söderholm, Salla Virtanen, Carina Von Schantz, Dmitrii Bychkov, Elena Vashchinkina, Jens Desloovere, Janne Tynell, Niina Ikonen, Linda L. Theisen, Tuula A. Nyman, Sampsa Matikainen, Olli Kallioniemi, Ilkka Julkunen, Claude P. Muller, Xavier Saelens, Vladislav V. Verkhusha, Denis E. Kainov
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Publication year: 2014
Journal: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Journal acronym: AAC
Volume: 58
Issue: 7
First page : 3689
Last page: 3696
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0066-4804
eISSN: 1098-6596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02798-13(external)
The influenza pH1N1 virus caused a global flu pandemic in 2009 and continues manifestation as a seasonal virus. Better understanding of the virus-host cell interaction could result in development of better prevention and treatment options. Here we show that the Akt inhibitor MK2206 blocks influenza pH1N1 virus infection in vitro. In particular, at noncytotoxic concentrations, MK2206 alters Akt signaling and inhibits endocytic uptake of the virus. Interestingly, MK2206 is unable to inhibit H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1 viruses, indicating that pH1N1 evolved specific requirements for efficient infection. Thus, Akt signaling could be exploited further for development of better therapeutics against pH1N1 virus.