Reversible inhibition of interferon synthesis by puromycin: evidence for an interferon-specific messenger RNA

Abstract

The capacity to synthesize interferon appears to be a latent cellular function which is induced by viral infection or other stimuli. The sequence of events can be conveniently studied in suspended cultures of Krebs-2 mouse ascites cells infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Interferon synthesis in this model system begins 3-4 hr after infection and reaches maximal levels within 20 hr after viral infection. Previous studies have shown that interferon formation requires unimpaired cellular RNA synthesis during the first 4 hr after viral induction. Following this time, interferon continues to be formed even if RNA synthesis is inhibited by actinomycin. The present experiments provide further support for the hypothesis that a virus can switch on the cellular interferon gene by inducing the transcription of a messenger RNA that specifies the synthesis of the interferon protein. These two events in the cycle of interferon production can be dissected by suppression of protein synthesis with puromycin and of RNA synthesis with actinomycin.

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