Defective insertion of haemagglutinin as a cause of abortivity of influenza A viruses in HeLa 229 cells.

Abstract

A number of experimental data demonstrate that certain mammalian cells are unable to replicate Influenza viruses type A. In these cellular hosts the viruses can efficiently perform their biological as well as biochemical activities but the production of mature viral particles is greatly restricted. Here we report a study of abortiveness of human and avian type A Influenza viruses in HeLa 229 cells in which the final stages of maturation of viral particles seem to be affected. We show that the incorrect insertion of virus-coded haemagglutinin into the plasma membrane might be the cause of the unpermissive condition of infection exhibited by this cellular host.