Reversible inhibition of poxvirus replication by cycloheximide during the early phase of infection

Abstract

Infection of primary chick embryo fibroblasts with Vaccinia WR, IHD-W, and cowpox virus even at high m.o.i. does not cause drastic early inhibition of host cell protein synthesis. This contrasts with the infection by these viruses of many eucaryotic cells. Cellular protein synthesis of mouse L cells is also only partially inhibited after infection with cowpox virus up to a m.o.i. of 2500 e.b. As predicted by Moss and Filler (1970, J. Virol. 5, 99-108) no irreversible inhibition of poxvirus replication is observed in these cells following the addition of cycloheximide early after infection. The viral cores which accumulate in chick embryo fibroblasts in the presence of cycloheximide are further uncoated after removal of the protein synthesis inhibitor. These poxvirus host cell systems can be used to identify in vivo immediate and putative delayed early viral gene products. Formation of progeny virus, viral DNA synthesis, the sequential formation of viral proteins, and sensitivity to interferon has been demonstrated in chick embryo fibroblasts after reversal of the cycloheximide block. These studies indicate a synchronized replication cycle of poxvirus after reversal of the cycloheximide block.