Inhibition of the uncoating of bovine enterovirus by short chain fatty acids.

Short chain fatty acids inhibit the replication of bovine enterovirus but are almost ineffective against poliovirus type 1, coxsackievirus B5, encephalomyocarditis virus and human rhinovirus 1B. Lauric acid binds to bovine enterovirus, thereby stabilizing the virus particle to heat degradation. Fatty acid-bound virions attach to susceptible cells but fail to undergo cell-mediated uncoating. The inhibitory effect is reversible with chloroform and may result from a hydrophobic interaction between the fatty acid and a specific site on the virus particle.