Uncoating and Development of Vaccinia Virus in Miniature Cells induced with an Extract from Marine Algae

Abstract

DISSECTION of individual cells by microsurgery into nucleate and anucleate cytoplasm provides an effective means for the delineation of nuclear participation during virus infection¹. Recently, we described² the formation of aberrant cells and mitotic anomalies after treatment of tissue cultures with a biologically active concentrate derived from marine algae. The induced abnormalities included mixed populations of micronucleate and miniature cells. The sequence of their formation was recorded by time-lapse, phase cinematography. Micronucleation presumably occurred by a process similar to that obtained with colchicine³. Following metaphase, miniature cells were formed by multiple cytokinesis. Three to eight or more discrete daughter cells were usually produced from each mother cell thus affected. Each miniature cell contained one or more nuclear-like structures and hence only part of the total chromosomal complement of the mother cell. Occasionally, cytoplasmic fragments without nuclear material were noted which were, however, usually shortlived in our experimental conditions. This communication describes the development of vaccinia virus in preformed populations of miniature cells.