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Several viruses, including human papillomaviruses, depend on endosomal acidification for successful infection. Hence, the multisubunit enzyme vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), which is mainly responsible for endosome acidification in the cell, represents an attractive target for antiviral strategies. In the present study, we show that V-ATPase is required for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and that uncoating/disassembly but not endocytosis is affected by V-ATPase inhibition. The infection inhibitory potencies of saliphenylhalamide, a proven V-ATPase inhibitor, and its derivatives, as well as those of other V-ATPase inhibitors, were analyzed on different HPV types in relevant cell lines. Variation in the selectivity indices among V-ATPase inhibitors was high, while variation for the same inhibitor against different HPV subtypes was low, indicating that broad-spectrum anti-HPV activity can be provided.

Two strongly correlated polymorphisms located within the gene of the glucokinase regulator protein (GKRP), rs780094 and rs1260326, are associated with increased plasma triglyceride levels and provide a genetic model for the long-term activation of hepatic glucokinase. Because pharmacological glucokinase activators are evaluated for the treatment of diabetes, the aim of the study was to assess if these polymorphisms could provide evidence for an increased cardiovascular risk of long-term glucokinase activation. Therefore, these polymorphisms were tested in 3 500 patients of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health study, which was designed to assess cardiovascular risk factors. The two variants were associated with a significant increase of both plasma triglycerides (p<0.0001) and VLDL triglyceride levels (p<0.0001). Plasma free fatty acid concentrations were also significantly elevated (p<0.0078). LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged. No association was found with respect to coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction, left ventricular wall hypertrophy, and hypertension. In conclusion, long-term genetic glucokinase activation by the GKRP polymorphisms was not associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in the study population., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart * New York.)