pH-dependent entry of chikungunya virus into Aedes albopictus cells

► We analyzed the role of membrane cholesterol and low vacuolar pH in CHIKV infection of mosquito cells. ► We tested the influence of the E1-A226V mutation detected in reemerging CHIKV on these parameters. ► Infection of mosquito cells is sensitive to lysomotropic agents and requires membrane cholesterol. ► The E1-226V mutation is associated with an increased fitness for A. albopictus cells. ► This mutation confers an increased requirement for membrane cholesterol and for low endosomal pH.