[Effect of the attenuated strain (TC-83) of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus on nuclear transcription in rat brain cells].

In the present study the effect of the attenuated strain TC-83 of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus on the nuclear transcription in brain cells of rats was assessed. The transcription activity of the DNA depending RNA polymerases (types I and II) in the isolated nuclei of brain of infected rats and controls was determinated by incorporation of the (3H) UTP. Simultaneously a viral replication curve in the brain and the serum was carried out by plaque forming method in chicken embryo cell cultures. RNA polymerase I activity was only significantly reduced after 25 hours of infection, respect to control values, while polymerase II activity was progressive and significantly diminished from inicial stages of the viral infection at 10, 15, 20 y 25 hours post-infection compared to control values. The virus was not detected in the brain but after 25 hours post-infection with very low titers (< 0.7 log10 P.F.U./ml.), while the viral presence in the blood was demonstrated after a 10 hour period. Our results demonstrated a marked effect of the attenuated strain on the brain nuclear transcription, although the presence of the virus was not detected in the brain of the infected rats. This finding suggest a mechanism of action which deserves further studies to elucidate the cerebral metabolic response and the pathogenesis of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis infection.