The entry of Junin virus into Vero cells.
The entry mechanism of Junin virus (JV) into Vero cells was studied analyzing the effect of lysosomotropic compounds and acid pH on JV infection. Ammonium chloride, amantadine, chlorpheniramine and procaine inhibited JV production. The action of ammonium chloride was exerted at early times of infection. Virus internalization was inhibited and viral protein expression was not detected. When the extracellular medium was buffered at low pH, the ammonium chloride induced block on JV infection was overcome. Furthermore, JV was able to induce fusion of infected cells at pH 5.5 leading to polykaryocyte formation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that JV entry occurs through an endocytic mechanism requiring a low pH dependent membrane fusion.
Laboratorio de Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
V
V
Castilla
S E
SE
Mersich
N A
NA
Candurra
E B
EB
Damonte
D000547:Amantadine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002744:Chlorpheniramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018051:Junin virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D011343:Procaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014709:Vero Cells; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D014764:Viral Proteins; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D002744:Chlorpheniramine; D011343:Procaine; D000547:Amantadine