Interferon Inducers in vitro: Difference in Sensitivity to Inhibitors of RNA and Protein Synthesis

Abstract

Interferon can be induced by diverse agents in a variety of mammalian cell cultures through apparently two mechanisms. One results in an early (2 to 10 hours) appearance of interferon and is relatively resistant to inhibition by actinomycin, puromycin, or fluorophenylalanine. A second mechanism results in a late (18 to 24 hours) appearance of interferon and is more sensitive to inhibition by these inhibitors. The molecular basis for each mechanism is unclear. Since each interferon inducer may have multiple effects on the cell, the differences observed may not necessarily reflect a fundamental difference in the mechanism of interferon stimulation.