Altered lipid metabolism in parvovirus-infected cells

A broad spectrum of cell lipid alterations are known to occur as a consequence of various viral infections. These changes include inhibition of lipid synthesis, stimulation of lipid synthesis and changes in the proportions of various lipids. The current study examined the effects of two parvoviruses on lipids of rat kidney (NRK) cells. Cells were infected with H-1 or Kilham rat virus (KRV) and the effects on 14C-acetate incorporation determined. Results showed that H-1 virus rapidly inhibited lipid formation (in 1 h) while KRV produced a similar effect beginning around 8 h. Pretreatment of the cells with cycloheximide did not alter this response. Fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography did not reveal major alterations in this component of total cell lipids although some fatty acids became undetectable by 18 h post-infection. The data suggest that these parvoviruses, especially H-1 virus, are able to rapidly alter lipid formation following infection and that this effect may be mediated by a virion component.