The Biosynthesis of Poliovirus in Cell Cultures

Abstract

This chapter considers the recent findings of poliovirus with respect to its biosynthesis. Results of quantitative significance concerning the biosynthesis of poliovirus have come almost exclusively from the use of dispersed mammalian cells, either in primary culture, exemplified by monkey kidney epithelium or in serially propagated cultures, such as the HeLa cell. Either of these cell lines can be used for both the production of virus and its quantitative plaque assay. The particular value of poliovirus is that it is an RNA-containing virus, the replication of which can be studied under experimental conditions approximating those of the coliphage system. The detailed study of the chemical and biophysical properties of the virus particle promises to be rewarding in itself. There is preliminary evidence for free sulfhydryl groups in the protein coat of poliovirus. This should allow attachment of heavy atoms such as mercury to yield a product that would be of aid to the X-ray crystallographer in studies on the structure of the particles.