Electron-Microscopic Observations On Early Events Of Frog Virus 3 Replication

Attachment, penetration, and uncoating of frog virus 3 (FV 3) has been studied by electron microscopy and electron microscopic radioautography. FV 3 attached to host cell plasma membrane at the vertex of the icosahedral virion. Phagocytosis (viropexis) appeared to be a predominant mode of entry, although evidence that direct penetration may also be operative was obtained. Disruption of FV 3 virions in phagocytic vacuoles was interpreted as virus uncoating.