Inhibition of poxvirus maturation by rifamycin derivatives and related compounds.

The effect of a number of rifamycin derivatives and related compounds on the reversibility of the rifampin-induced virus maturation block was studied by using BHK-21 cells infected with vaccinia virus. All of the derivatives of 3-formyl rifamycin SV maintained this block, the required concentration varying from 100 to 1,000 mug/ml. These compounds vary only in the nature of the side-chain attached to the 3C atom on the naphthohydroquinone moiety; no obvious correlation between the nature of this side-chain and antiviral activity was found. Streptovaricin complex and tolypomycin R also maintained the maturation block; tolypomycin also produced marked alterations in the appearance of the viroplasm contained in rifampin-induced inclusions and immature virus particles.