Perturbation of the cell cycle by adeno-associated virus

Infection of nonpermissive cells with adeno-associated virus (AAV) or AAV inactivated by uv light inhibited their multiplication in culture and interfered with their transit through the cell cycle. The perturbation of the cell cycle led to the accumulation of cells in the late S and/or G2 phases. The AAV-mediated inhibition of growth was dependent upon high concentrations of input virus and the types of cells. Presenescent embryonic fibroblasts of Syrian hamster and human origin were the most sensitive cell types examined; in contrast, immortalized lines of Syrian hamster and human origin were relatively resistant. We suggest that the inhibition of cell division results from a reaction between a cellular target and the incoming AAV virion (or a component of the virion) and that parental viral gene expression is not required.