How viruses damage cells: alterations in plasma membrane function.
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Date
1984-10
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Abstract
The effect of viruses on plasma membrane function has been studied in two types of
situation: (i) during the toxin-like action of paramyxoviruses when fusing with susceptible
cells, and (ii) during an infectious cycle initiated by different viruses in various cell types.
The nature of the permeability changes induced during the toxin-like action of viruses, and
its modulation by extra-cellular Ca2+, are described: membrane potential collapses, intracellular
ions and metabolites leak out of, and extracellular ions leak into cells, but lysis does not
take place. The biological significance of such changes, and their relation to changes induced by
other pore-forming agents, are discussed.
Changes in membrane permeability such as those mentioned above have not been detected
during infection of cultured cells by paramyxo (Sendai, measles, mumps), orthomyxo
(influenza), rhabdo (vesicular stomatitis), toga (Semliki Forest) or herpes viruses. On the
contrary, sugar uptake is increased when BHK cells are infected with vesicular stomatitis virus,
semliki forest virus or herpes virus. Cultured neurones infected with herpes simplex virus show
changes in electrical activity. The pathophysiological significance of these alterations in
membrane function, which occur in viable cells, is discussed.
It is concluded that clinical symptoms may result from cell damage caused by virally induced
alterations of plasma membrane function in otherwise intact cells.
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Keywords
Ca2 +, permeability, plasma membrane, viruses
Citation
Pasternak C A. How viruses damage cells: alterations in plasma membrane function. Journal of Biosciences. 1984 Oct; 6(4): 569-583.