Inhibition of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates by poliovirus

The poliovirus-induced shut-off of cellular protein synthesis persists in the presence of 3-methylquercetin, a flavonoid which blocks viral protein and RNA synthesis

In poliovirus-infected cells, the viral protein and RNA synthesis were severely reduced, provided 3-methylquercetin was present between 1 and 2 h post-infection. Under these conditions, the virally induced host shut-off remained in effect. On the other hand, in uninfected HeLa cells, protein and RNA synthesis was inhibited only slightly by 3-methylquercetin. The inhibition of poliovirus cytopathogenicity in Vero cells by 3-methylquercetin exhibited a similar time dependence.

Infection of neuroblastoma cells by Semliki Forest virus. The interference of viral capsid protein with the binding of host messenger RNAs into initiation complexes is the cause of the shut-off of host protein synthesis

From ribosomal washes of neuroblastoma cells infected with Semliki Forest virus (SFV) a protein of Mr 33000 was purified, which comigrated with the viral capsid protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels and was recognized by antibodies against the capsid protein of SFV. This protein selectively inhibits the translation of host and early viral 42S mRNA in vitro, but has no effect on late viral 26S and encephalomyocarditis virus mRNA translation. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4B and cap-binding protein restore the translation of host and 42S mRNA to control levels. The capsid protein specifically prevents the binding of host mRNA into 80S initiation complexes, but has no effect on that of late viral mRNA. We propose that the capsid protein is the component responsible for the shut-off of host protein synthesis in SFV-infected cells and for the decreased translational activity of the crude ribosomal washes from these cells.

Amplification of translational control by membrane-mediated events: a pleiotropic effect on cellular and viral gene expression

This review deals with the events which are triggered in tissue culture cells upon exposure to medium hyperosmolarity, to virus infection and to inducers of terminal differentiation. Increased medium osmolarity mimics, in several ways, events which follow infection of cells by cytopathogenic viruses. These are: inhibition of uptake of amino acids, glucose and uridine, the release or activation of a low molecular weight substance which mediates an immediate and specific inhibition of polypeptide chain initiation, and alteration in the phosphorylation state of ribosomal proteins. All these effects appear to be related to or be a consequence of membrane alterations. Similar alterations in transport and protein synthesis are initiated in Friend erythroleukemic cells upon induction of terminal differentiation.