Induction of apoptotic DNA fragmentation by the infection of vesicular stomatitis virus.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) induced apoptosis of infected HeLa cells. Fragmentation of chromosomal DNA into nucleosomal oligomers as well as a characteristic nuclear fragmentation were observed in the infected cells. The kinetics of the apoptotic response was determined in relation to viral multiplication and cytopathic effect. Comparison of these kinetics revealed that the production of progeny virus occurs at almost similar kinetics to that of the DNA fragmentation, so that viral multiplication is not interrupted by the apoptotic cell damage.