Protein cleavage in virus-infected cells.

A variety of proteins, including viral precursor polypeptides, were bound to a solid support and used in a sensitive assay for proteolytic enzymes in HeLa cells. A trypsin-like endoprotease, present on ribosomes of HeLa cells, loses activity after picornavirus infection. The decline follows synthesis and processing of a viral protein. Inhibition of cellfree activity of HeLa protease occurs when protein trypsin inhibitors or double-stranded RNA are added. After the mid-point of infection, protease activity with enhanced specificity for viral substrates is detected. The new protease has a pH optimum and heat stability different from endogenous host enzymes, and is synthesized following infection. A viral mutant was isolated which produces a temperature-sensitive protease. The results indicate that a poliovirus gene product participates enzymatically in the final cleavages of some polioviral proteins. A model for the regulation of poliovirus replication based on specific proteolysis is presented.