Mode of action of acid pH values on the development of vesicular stomatitis virus

The effect of low pH's on the development of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was studied. L cells infected with VSV were incubated at pH 6.6. A 99% inhibition in the yield of infectious particles was observed by comparison with the yield at pH 7.4. Such inhibition was not due to inhibition of viral RNA synthesis, since at pH 6.6 all the known species of VSV RNA molecules were synthesized. Furthermore, all the known species of VSV proteins were also synthesized. However, no viral particles nor nucleocapsids were detected. Raising the pH to 6.9 resulted in the appearance of nucleocapsids and viral particles, although the yield of infectious virus was still inhibited by 90%. The lack of infectivity of these pH 6.9 viral particles was correlated with their inability to promote primary transcription. The hypothesis that low pH's alter the correct positioning of the viral proteins into the cell membrane is presented.