Protein synthesis in VSV infected CNS, neuroblastoma and BHK cell lines.

The protein synthesis of VSV infected CNS of mice was analysed by SDS-PAGE. Cellular and viral protein synthesis in the CNS were also compared to VSV infected neuroblastoma cells (clone NS 20) and fibroblasts (BHK21). Inhibition of host protein synthesis was observed in the three systems tested. However, this inhibition was shown to occur faster in neuroblastoma cells than in BHK cells, whereas it proceeded progressively in the brain. Thus the shut off of host cell protein synthesis by VSV seems to be a general phenomenon that occurs in vivo as well as in vitro. VSV protein from the CNS, or from neuroblastoma cells and fibroblasts were found to migrate similarly in SDS-PAGE. The viral L protein synthesis was found to be particularly active in the CNS, with respect to that observed in NS20 and BHK cells. The viral glycoprotein failed to be detected in the VSV infected mouse brain in our experimental conditions. The results show that VSV infection in vivo occurs with some difference with that of non neuronal cells, and that in vivo studies suggest the existence of cellular modulation that should be taken in account in the pathogenesis of this rhabdovirus.