Concanavalin A belongs to the concanamycins, a family of macrolide antibiotics isolated from Streptomyces diastatochromogenes that are highly active and selective inhibitors of the vacuolar proton-ATPase (v-[H[+]]ATPase). Among them, Concanavalin A is the most selective and potent inhibitor of the V-[H[+]]ATPase.[1]
n vitro study indicated that Concanavalin A was active at 5 nM and completely blocked influenza virus infection at 10 nM in MDCK cells. Results showed that concanamycin A blocked viral replication by inhibiting the v-[H[+]]ATPase, thus preventing acidification of endosomes and release of virions into the cytoplasm. An early event in virus infection is the target of concanamytin A. In addition, the inhibition of the v-[H[+]]ATPase by concanamycin A prevents endosomal acidification, inhibiting virus release from endosomes.[1]
References:
[1].Rosario G. et al. Concanavalin A blocks influenza virus entry into cells under acidic conditions. FEBS Letters 1994 June; 349; 327-330.