Inhibition of Interferon Action by Puromycin

Abstract

Summary Puromycin, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, also inhibits the anti-viral action of interferon; this does not appear to be due to a block in the adsorption of interferon. The inhibition of interferon action is reversed by prolonged incubation of cells in buffer after removal of interferon and puromycin. When protein synthesis is allowed to proceed normally after the addition of interferon, subsequent addition of puromycin is ineffective. These results indicate that protein synthesis is necessary for the antiviral action of interferon, and suggest that interferon induces a new antiviral protein in cells.