Computer-assisted analysis demonstrates that polypeptides induced by natural and recombinant human interferon-α are the same and that some have related primary structures

Abstract

The biological effects on diploid and trisomy 21 human fibroblasts of pure human interferon IFLrA, a single IFN-α species produced from cloned DNA, were compared with those of partially purified natural IFN-α. Twelve interferon-induced polypeptides were visualized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Seven of these were shown to have related primary structures and are therefore products of related genes or are related through post-translational modification. Qualitative visual comparisons and computer-aided quantitation of autoradiograms revealed to differences in the patterns of polypeptide induction following treatment with the two types of IFN-α, and the two interferons also induced (2′–5′) oligoisoadenylate synthetase equally. By these criteria, the activities of the two interferons are qualitatively and quantitatively indistinguishable. In addition, the effects of trisomy 21 on IFLrA-induced polypeptide synthesis and on antiviral response were similar to those previously demonstrated with natural IFN-α.