Chlorella viruses prevent multiple infections by depolarizing the host membrane

Timo Greiner, Florian Frohns, Ming Kang, James L. Van Etten, Anja Käsmann, Anna Moroni, Brigitte Hertel, Gerhard Thiel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous experiments established that when the unicellular green alga Chlorella NC64A is inoculated with two viruses, usually only one virus replicates in a single cell. That is, the viruses mutually exclude one another. In the current study, we explore the possibility that virus-induced host membrane depolarization, at least partially caused by a virus-encoded K+ channel (Kcv), is involved in this mutual exclusion. Two chlorella viruses, PBCV-1 and NY-2A, were chosen for the study because (i) they can be distinguished by real-time PCR and (ii) they exhibit differential sensitivity to Cs+, a well-known K+ channel blocker. PBCV-1-induced host membrane depolarization, Kcv channel activity and plaque formation are only slightly affected by Cs+, whereas all three NY-2A-induced events are strongly inhibited by Cs+. The addition of one virus 5-15 min before the other results primarily in replication of the first virus. However, if virus NY-2A-induced membrane depolarization of the host is blocked by Cs+, PBCV-1 is not excluded. We conclude that virus-induced membrane depolarization is at least partially responsible for the exclusion phenomenon.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2033-2039
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume90
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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