Primary effects of the rubella virus on the metabolism of BHK-21 cells grown in suspension cultures

In BHK-21/13 S cells infected with rubella virus an early modification of the cellular metabolism was noted. Changes included a 12% increase in the level of respiration and a 50% increase in lactic acid production. Alanine synthesis was also strongly stimulated. Such changes were seen with infective virus but not with UV-inactivated virus. These early changes were not apparent two to five hours after the viral infection, but reappeared at about the eighth hour and became more marked at the time of the virus release.