Interferon messenger RNA: translation in heterologous cells.

A viral inhibitor with the characteristics of mouse interferon is produced by avian and simian cells preincubated with RNA extracted from interferon-producing mouse cells. Similarly, RNA extracted from interferon-producing monkey cells induces a monkey interferon-like substance in avian cells and also in a line of simian cells, VERO, which normally lacks the capacity to produce its own interferon. In both cases, the RNA effect is inhibited by treatment of the receptor cells by cycloheximide, but not by actinomycin D. We conclude that interferon messenger RNA has been translated in the receptor cells. Thus, the production of interferon in heterologous cells can be used as a sensitive assay of interferon messenger RNA.