Relationship between viral RNA and viral protein synthesis

Abstract

Low concentrations of p-fluorophenylalanine (5–10 μg/ml) inhibit the maturation of Western equine encephalomyelitis and poliomyelitis viruses. Much higher concentrations are required (125 μg/ml) to inhibit the synthesis of the respective infectious RNA. By means of fluorescent antibodies against poliovirus, it was found that the formation of the viral antigens and the viral RNA are inhibited in a parallel manner by FPA. The implications of these findings suggesting a mutual dependency of viral protein and viral RNA synthesis are discussed.