Changes in membrane permeability in cells infected by human cytomegalovirus

To analyze whether human cytomegalovirus could induce changes in membrane permeability we studied both Hygromycin B (HyB) inhibition of protein synthesis and glycine and choline uptake during viral replication. A higher sensitivity to HyB was observed both immediately after virus adsorption and in concomitance with the release of viral progeny. HyB sensitivity immediately after virus adsorption was not associated with changes in membrane permeability to glycine and choline while 60 hours p.i. a remarkable increase in choline uptake was detected.