LOW-PH-INDUCED FUSION OF VERO CELLS INFECTED WITH JUNIN VIRUS

Junin virus (JV) infected Vero cells were used to investigate virus ca pacity to induce cell-cell fusion. Polykaryocyte formation due to JV w as found to be pH and temperature-dependent. A reduced fusion activity was detected on BHK-21 cells. Different JV-strains exhibited a simila r extent and pH dependence of their fusion activity. Neutralizing anti bodies against the main viral glycoprotein (GP38) inhibited syncytium production and GP38 conformational changes in response to acid treatme nt were detected by an immunoprecipitation assay.