Avian adenovirus induces ion channels in model bilayer lipid membranes.

The action of duck egg drop syndrome 1976 (EDS-76) adenovirus on model bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) has been investigated on planar egg phosphatidylcholine membranes and small unilamellar vesicles. It was found that the adenovirus formed channels in planar BLM in a pH-dependent manner. The addition of EDS-76 to planar BLM at pH 5 induced voltage-independent channel activity of about 60 pS conductivity after a lag phase. At pH 3, EDS-76 induced irregular spikes of current across the planar BLM which disappeared after several minutes. The adenovirus also was able to induce pH-dependent leakage of calcein-loaded liposomes. EDS-76 did not induce channel activity in planar BLM or liposome leakage at neutral pH.