Poliovirus infection without accumulation of eclipse particles.

Poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney) was treated with the capsid-binding pyridazinamine R 78206, followed by dialysis to remove free compound. Upon infection of HeLa cells by R 78206-pretreated virus, the formation of intra- and extracellular modified particles was completely inhibited, except for a small amount of empty capsids. The synthesis of viral proteins and first cycle progeny virus was delayed by 1 h. The results suggest that poliovirus infection does not require intracellular accumulation of 135 S eclipse particles.