Interferon induction by viruses. XII. Inhibition of protein synthesis renders aged chick embryo cells refractory to interferon induction

Microbiology Section, U-44, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06268, U.S.A. The initial stages of interferon induction in mouse L cells do not require protein synthesis; all steps in the induction process up to and including the transcription of interferon mRNA occurred in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis. In contrast, interferon induction in primary chick embryo cells aged in vitro does require a reaction that depends upon protein synthesis, unique in that it is not required for virus replication or the action of interferon. Keywords: IFN induction, protein synthesis inhibition, chick embryo cells Received 21 August 1984; accepted 5 December 1984.