The cytoskeletal framework and poliovirus metabolism

Abstract

The cytoskeletal framework prepared by detergent lysis of suspension-grown HeLa cells is compared to the structure obtained from poliovirus-infected cells. This framework, which retains major features of cell morphology and carries the cellular polyribosomes as well as the major structural filaments, is profoundly reorganized following virus infection. This reorganization underlies, at least in part, the morphological changes termed the "cytoplasmic effect." These cytoskeletal changes appear related to the involvement of the framework with viral-specific metabolism. Extensive cytoskeleton alterations occur even when guanidine inhibits viral replication, and thus result from small amounts of early viral products. The normally spheroidal nucleus deforms, allowing a modified region of the cytoplasm to occupy a central position in the cell, and many membrane-enclosed vesicles peculiar to the infected cell are elaborated here. The skeleton preparation reveals that this region contains intermediate filaments arranged in a pattern unique to infected cells. Further changes occur when viral replication is permitted. The central region filaments become coated with darkly staining material which may be viral RNA. Numerous small particles appear on the filaments which resemble partially assembled virions. Mature virions, however, have no affinity for the cytoskeleton and appear to be free in the cytoplasm. Host cell messenger RNA, normally attached to the skeletal framework, is released in infected cells and is replaced by the viral-specific polyribosomes. The trabecular network which carries polyribosomes appears to be rearranged; the viral polyribosomes are located principally at the cell periphery and are excluded from the central region. The viral replication complex with its double-stranded RNA is also attached to the skeletal framework and may comprise the dark staining material coating the filaments of the central cell region.