Authors: C Kempf M R Michel U Kohler H Koblet
Publish Date: 1987/10/01
Volume: 7, Issue: 10, Pages: 761-769
Abstract
The mechanism of the process leading to cellcell fusion induced by enveloped viruses at a mildly acidic pH is as yet unknown In this report we demonstrate that the fusion events induced by three viruses of different families namely Semliki Forest togavirus vesicular stomatitis rhabdovirus and influenza orthomyxovirus share common features In all three systems a sudden drop of the intracellular pH—below the critical eextracellular pH required to trigger “fusion from within” FFWI—is observed This influx of protons is specific and not due to a general leakiness of the plasma membrane and therefore might be caused by the opening of a proton channel
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