Differential effect of interferon on DNA synthesis, 2-deoxyglucose uptake and ornithine decarboxylase activity in 3T3 cells stimulated by polypeptide growth factors and tumor promotors.

Quiescent 3T3 cells can be stimulated to enter S by defined factors. When used in combination, three polypeptide hormones (EGF, vasopressin, and insulin), or a tumor promotor and insulin, are very effective in stimulating DNA synthesis. Like serum, the defined factors also stimulate deoxyglucose uptake and induce the synthesis of ornithine decarboxylase during G1. The second stage of deoxyglucose uptake and the induction of ornithine decarboxylase are protein synthesis-dependent events. When added with the growth factors, mouse interferon inhibits the synthesis of DNA and the induction of ornithine decarboxylase but has no effect on the uptake of deoxyglucose. Kinetic experiments comparing the effect of inhibitors of translation or transcription on induction of ornithine decarboxylase with the effect of interferon suggest that interferon may affect the synthesis of enzyme by inhibiting both transcription and translation of message. The findings provide further support for the proposition that interferon exerts a differential effect on mitogen-stimulated events events which are dependent on continuous protein synthesis.