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Alterations in Virus Protein Synthesis and Capsid Production in Infection with DI Particles of Herpesvirus

William W. Newcomb

Dennis J. O'Callaghan

Department of Microbiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, U.S.A.

High multiplicity, undiluted passage of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in L-M cells resulted in the rapid production of virus particles whose genome was genetically less complex, contained more reiterated DNA sequences and exhibited a greater buoyant density ( = 1.724 g/ml) than the DNA ( = 1.716 g/ml) of standard virus. These data and the finding that these particles inhibited the replication of standard virus in interference assays confirmed that these were defective interfering (DI) particles (Henry et al. 1979). Additional evidence for this has been obtained from the pattern of cyclic fluctuation in infectious virus titre through 17 serial passages as well as from the pronounced variation in the particle to plaque ratio for each passage. Total particle production was markedly reduced in cells infected with virus preparations containing DI particles and quantification of major cell-associated EHV-1 capsid species by electron microscopy and analysis in Renografin density gradients indicated that this reduction occurred at the level of capsid assembly. Although total capsid production was reduced in cells infected with DI particle preparations, the synthesis of I (immature) capsids increased relative to that of L (empty) capsids and these alterations in the assembly of capsid species could be related to changes in the synthesis of capsid proteins. In cells infected with EHV-1 preparations rich in DI particles, the synthesis of major capsid protein 150000 was greatly reduced, whereas core protein 46000, a major component of I capsids, was overproduced as compared to standard virus infection. Capsids produced in cells infected with virus preparations rich in DI particles were identical in polypeptide composition to those made in standard virus infection.

^* Present address: Cancer Research Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514, U.S.A.

Present address: Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Va. 22901, U.S.A.

Author to whom reprint requests should be sent.

Received 29 July 1979; accepted 31 October 1979.