[Membrane protein formation in cells infected with the NDV virus and treated with theophylline]

The effect of theophylline on the synthesis of NDV membrane protein which plays an essential role in the production of virions was followed up. It was found that the replication of the virus in chick embryo fibroblasts was inhibited when the cells were treated with 1 mM theophylline. Inhibition was found to concern the final phase of virus replication--the formation of mature infection particles. The amount of membrane protein responsible for virus budding was analogous to that in the cells untreated with theophylline. It is believed that theophylline treatment of cells affects somehow the synthesis of viral proteins and changes their conformation.