Effect of ammonium chloride on multiplication of rinderpest virus in Vero cells.

Ammonium chloride, a lysosomotropic weak base, inhibited replication of rinderpest virus in Vero cells. The inhibition of replication was dose-dependent and the minimum effective dose of ammonium chloride was determined as 5-10 mmol/l. The fusion efficiency and the yield of both cell-free and cell-associated virus were reduced in the presence of the inhibitor. Western blot analysis of rinderpest virus-infected Vero cells revealed that synthesis of two virus-induced polypeptides were affected by the presence of ammonium chloride.