Cytosine arabinoside- and interferon-mediated control of polyoma and SV40 genome expression.

By metabolic DNA inhibitors such as araC, viral as well as host DNA replication is suppressed in polyoma- and SV40-infected cells. The interruption of the current viral DNA replication has no effect on the current transcription of the late viral genes. The persistence of the late transcription indicates that the onset, but not the persistence, of the viral DNA replication is a prerequisite for the persistence of the late polyoma and SV40 genome transcription. Pretreatment of monkey kidney cells with poly(I):-poly(C) nearly completely inhibits the SV40 T antigen formation; the early SV40 RNA formation is suppressed far less. This type of SV40 genome control favors the concept of a primary action of poly(I):poly(C)-mediated interference on SV40 translation.