Effects of fatty acids on lipid synthesis and viral RNA replication in poliovirus-infected cells.

Animal viruses profoundly modify the metabolism of lipids, the synthesis of new membranes, and membrane traffic. These alterations are related to the replication of viral genomes. Addition of oleic acid from the beginning of poliovirus infection inhibits the appearance of virus polypeptides at concentrations that do not affect translation in mock-infected HeLa cells. This inhibition is due to the blockade of viral RNA synthesis. Membranes made in poliovirus-infected cells in the presence of oleic acid differ in their buoyant density from control membranes. These results suggest that the incorporation of oleic acid into membranes leads to increased membrane fluidity and decreased buoyant density, making these membranes nonfunctional for poliovirus RNA replication.