Characterization of a Membrane Calcium Pathway Induced by Rotavirus Infection in Cultured Cells

Some viruses induce changes in membrane permeability during infection. We have shown previously that the porcine strain of rotavirus, OSU, induced an increase in the permeability to Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+) during replication in MA104 cells. In this work, we have characterized the divalent cation entry pathway by measuring intracellular Ca(2+) in fura-2-loaded MA104 and HT29 cells in suspension. The permeability to Ca(2+) and other cations was evaluated by the change of the intracellular concentration following an extracellular cation pulse. Rotavirus infection induced an increase in permeability to Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Sr(2+), Mn(2+), and Co(2+). The rate of cation entry decreased over time as the intracellular concentration increased during the first 20 s. This indicates that regulatory mechanisms, including channel inactivation, are triggered. La(3+) did not enter the cell and blocked the entry of the divalent cations in a dose-dependent manner. Metoxyverapamil (D600), a blocker of L-type voltage-gated channels, partially inhibited the entry of Ca(2+) in virus-infected MA104 and HT29 cells. The results suggest that rotavirus infection of cultured cells activates a cation channel rather than nonspecific permeation through the plasma membrane. This activation involves the synthesis of viral proteins through mechanisms yet unknown. The increase in intracellular Ca(2+) induced by the activation of this channel may be related to the increase in cytoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pools required for virus maturation and cell death.