Are reovirus ISVPs generated in vitro capable of inducing apoptosis?

 METHODS

1. HeLa cells (5 x 10⁴) were either mock infected or infected with T3SA⁺ virions or ISVPs at an MOI of 100 PFU per cell. ISVPs were generated in vitro by chymotyrpsin a protease treatment.
   
   
2. Cells were incubated in the absense or presence of 10 mM AC or 200 uM E64.
   
   
3. The percent apoptotic cells was assessed by acridine staining 48 h after infection.
   
   
   

 Why were ISVPs generated in vitro?

ANSWER To determine if ISVPs alone can induce apoptosis.

RESULTS

T3SA⁺ virions induced 53 % of cells to undergo apoptosis, while T3SA⁺ ISVPs induced 68 % of cells to undergo apoptosis.

Are reovirus ISVPs capable of bypassing the the AC- and E64-mediated blocks to apoptosis induced by virions?

YES Correct. ISVPs induce apoptosis in the presense of either AC or E64. Both inhibitors blocked apoptosis induced by virions.

NO Incorrect. ISVPs induce apoptosis in the presense of either AC or E64. Both inhibitors blocked apoptosis induced by virions.

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