Cytoplasmic structures associated with an arbovirus infection: loci of viral ribonucleic acid synthesis.

Unique cytoplasmic structures, herein designated as type I cytopathic vacuoles (CPV-I), are found in chick embryo cells early in the logarithmic phase of Semliki Forest virus replication. High resolution autoradiography demonstrated that the CPV-I are loci of (3)H-uridine incorporation. This evidence correlates well with previous biochemical data and electron microscopy of the subcellular fractions active in Semliki Forest virus ribonucleic acid synthesis. Origin of the CPV-I within host cell cytoplasm is confirmed by the distribution of electron-dense tracer particles and sequential ultrastructural observations.