Action of Murine γ (Immune)interferon on β (Fibroblast)-Interferon Resistant L 1210 and Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

Treatment of leukemic mouse L 1210 S cells with .beta. or .gamma. interferon results in the development of antiviral and anticellular effects, both of which are also induced by .gamma. interferon in L 1210 R cells selected for their resistance to .beta. interferon. Treatment of L 1210 S cells with .beta. or .gamma. interferon results in the induction of 2 double-stranded RNA dependent enzymes described previously in .beta. and .gamma. interferon-treated mouse L-929 cells: pppA (2''p5''A)n synthetase and protein kinase(s). Treatment of L 1210 R cells with .beta.-interferon does not result in the induction of any detectable enhanced pppA (2''p5''A)n synthetase and protein kinase activities whereas .gamma. interferon induces both enzymes. Thus although .beta. and .gamma. interferon induce similar intracellular events, they may have a different mechanism of interaction with their target cells. Similar to the action of .beta. interferon, treatment of mouse embryonal carcinoma cells with .gamma. interferon results in the induction of pppA (2''p5''A)n synthetase in the absence of any detectable protein kinase activity or any apparent development of antiviral and anticellular effects. The significance of this in relation to the mechanism of action of interferon is discussed.