The formation of vaccinia virus protein in the presence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine

The synthesis of immunologically detectable viral proteins in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells was observed within 2 hours after infection, and the association of viral DNA and protein occurred early in infection, before the synthesis of mature virus.

Abstract

The synthesis of immunologically detectable viral proteins in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells was observed within 2 hours after infection. When DNA synthesis in infected cells was blocked by 10−6M FUDR, the formation of viral proteins continued. The rate of viral protein synthesis in the presence of FUDR was maximal for the first 4–6 hours after infection and continued at a diminished rate during the latter 8–10 hours of the infectious cycle. At 14 hours after infection 35% or more of the normal yield of viral proteins was formed. In both inhibited and uninhibited cell cultures approximately one-half the viral proteins synthesized were sedimentable at 14,800 g, a centrifugal force which completely sedimented infectious virus. The association of viral DNA and protein occurred early in infection, before the synthesis of mature virus.