THE ENTRY OF JUNIN VIRUS INTO VERO CELLS

The entry mechanism of Junin virus (JV) into Vero cells was studied an alyzing the effect oflysosomotropic compounds and acid pH on JV infect ion. Ammonium chloride, amantadine, chlorpheniramine and procaine inhi bited JV production. The action of ammonium chloride was exerted at ea rly times of infection. Virus internalization was inhibited and viral protein expression was not detected. When the extracellular medium was buffered at low pH, the ammonium chloride induced block on JV infecti on was overcome. Furthermore, JV was able to induce fusion of infected cells at pH 5.5 leading to polykaryoctye formation. Taken together, t hese results demonstrate that JV entry occurs through an endocytic mec hanism requiring a low pH dependent membrane fusion.