The antiviral action of interferon

Abstract

On interferon treatment cells develop an antiviral state. This requires time and RNA and protein synthesis. At least six polypeptides and two enzymes have been reported to be synthesized in increased amounts in response to interferon and a multiplicity of effects have been attributed to it. Interferon has been reported to inhibit virus growth at the level of the uncoating of the virus, virus RNA and protein synthesis and virus maturation. This has led to the acceptance of a multisite model for interferon action. The evidence for this and for the role of two known interferon-mediated enzymes, the 2-5A synthetase and protein kinase, are reviewed.