Interferon-mediated effect on ribosomal RNA metabolism.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has been shown to be involved in the binding of bacterial messenger RNA (mRNA) and an analogous 18 S rRNA.mRNA complex has been reported in eukaryotic systems. Thus, qualitative changes in host rRNA may be involved in the development of the interferon mediated antiviral state, a process thought to involve the inability of host ribosomes to bind and recognize viral mRNA. Data are reported which suggest that trisomy 21 human fibroblasts respond to human interferon with a marked reduction in cytoplasmic rRNA. [3H]Uridine was used to radioactively label the polysomal RNAs for 24 h beginning 12 h after interferon addition. Subsequent sucrose gradient analysis of the phenol or SDS-extracted RNA revealed that the reduction in radioactive rRNA was nearly complete for the 28 S rRNA. In contrast, considerable residual uridine incorporation was found in the 18 S rRNA species. Corollary data suggesting a net increase in mRNA synthesis and a net decrease in protein synthesis are reported.
D002460:Cell Line; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D011061:Poly A / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D011061:Poly A; D007372:Interferons