Macromolecular synthesis in varicella-zoster virus-infected epithelial and fibroblast cells.

Replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was studied in a range of human cells (Chang conjunctival, HEp2 and Vero) and compared with that in HEL cells. Evidence for virus-specific protein and nucleic acid synthesis was obtained from each of these cell lines. In some cell lines, virus proteins were clearly visible by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both with and without immunoprecipitation. Multiple passage of infected cells enhanced both virus-specific protein synthesis and shutoff of host protein synthesis. No qualitative differences in the patterns of VZV-specific protein synthesis were detected. Approximately 2000 copies of the VZV genome were detected per infected HEL cell.