Guanidine-sensitive Na+ accumulation by poliovirus-infected HeLa cells.

The Na+ content of poliovirus-infected HeLa S3 cells increased during the late phase of virus replication, after virus inhibition of host cell protein synthesis and in coincidence with late viral functions. Guanidine hydrochloride blocked the rise in Na+ content, whereas the antiguanidine agent choline fully reversed the guanidine block. Expression of one or more late viral functions was essential for Na+ accumulation to occur because accumulation was inhibited by cycloheximide or guanidine added to the infected culture during the late phase. Increased adenosine triphosphatase activity appears to be primarily responsible for Na+ accumulation by virus-infected cells.