Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a powerful interferon inducer but also possesses toxic properties. dsRNA was shown previously to inhibit translation by causing the inactivation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) and to bind tightly to this protein. The cytoxicity of dsRNA was analyzed simultaneously with the induction of interferon in murine fibroblast cultures. Incubation of dsRNA with eIF-2 leads to a significant reduction in toxicity, concomitant with a marked stimulation of interferon induction. The enhancement of dsRNA-dependent interferon induction by eIF-2 is sensitive to a monoclonal antibody directed against the β of eIF-2. When injected in combination with dsRNA, elF-2 potentiates the dsRNA-dependent survival of mice infected with a lethal dose of Mango virus.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 494-503 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Virology |
Volume | 174 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1990 |