The Effect of p-Fluorophenylalanine on the Replication of Rabbitpox Virus and its Nucleic Acid

Abstract

The multiplication of rabbitpox virus in HeLa (ERK) cells was inhibited by p-fluorophenylalanine (FPA) 400 μg./ml. When added early in the growth cycle, FPA prevented the formation of viral DNA. The FPA-sensitive process necessary for DNA synthesis began about 11/4 hr after infection. This was at least 1 hr before the first development of viral DNA, but coincided with the time of synthesis of the earliest viral antigens. On the basis of this and other evidence, it is suggested that some soluble viral antigens are enzymes concerned in the synthesis of viral DNA.