Interference between two adeno-associated satellite viruses: a three-component system.

Adenovirus-associated satellite viruses interfere with the replication of their helper adenoviruses. According to a previous report, this interference is not mediated by interferon. A three-component system comprising simian adenovirus SV15 and satellites types 1 and 4 was studied to determine whether satellite viruses also interfere with one another. Satellite type 1 interfered with the replication of type 4 and vice versa. The degree of interference was directly proportional to the dose of interfering satellite. The events leading to mutual satellite interference were operative during the first 12 hr of replication, the period associated with active synthesis of viral deoxyribonucleic acid.