Preservation of catecholamine uptake and release in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected PC12 cells.

The PC12 cell line, which is derived from a rat pheochromocytoma and possesses a number of 'differentiated' neuronal properties, was used to characterize the effect of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection on the uptake and release of catecholamines. Both the uptake of [3H]norepinephrine and the content and K+-induced release of endogenous catecholamines were remarkably preserved during the course of productive infection. HSV-1 infection is thus selective in its effects on the host cell and certain specialized functional properties may be retained in the face of otherwise profound metabolic alterations.