Effect of an Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virion component(s) on DNA synthesis and growth in several insect cell lines

Thirteen different insect cell lines representing three different orders were infected with Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) whose genome had been inactivated in situ by photochemical means or by short wave UV irradiation. Changes in rates of cellular DNA synthesis, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and cell growth were subsequently measured at various times post infection. Seven cell lines exhibited a significant decline in [3H]thymidine incorporation (compared to control levels) during an initial 12 h period post infection, while three cell lines showed substantial declines in [3H]thymidine incorporation over a 4 day period post infection. All cell lines which showed a significant decline in [3H]thymidine over the duration of the experiment (4 days) also exhibited reduced cell growth rates. The role of a putative AcMNPV virion associated factor(s) in influencing these cellular events is discussed.