title: Chemical modification of the recombinant human alpha A- and beta-interferons.
abstract: Chemical modification has been used to map the residues essential for the antiviral activity of the recombinant human alpha A- and beta-interferons. Modification of His residues with diethylpyrocarbonate and N alpha-tosyl-L-lysyl chloromethylketone does not inhibit both interferons, whereas N alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethylketone significantly suppressing the activity of beta-interferon does not affect the activity of alpha A-interferon. After the modification of 1, 2 and 3 Lys residues from 11 ones with 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid N-hydroxy-succinimide ester alpha A-interferon reveals 100%, 50% and 10% of the initial activity, respectively. Modification of Trp residues with H2O2, 2-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride or 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylbromide inactivates alpha A- and beta-interferons completely. Presumably Trp residue(s) is essential for the antiviral activity of alpha- and beta-interferons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics, USSR Academy of Science, Moscow.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Borukhov
authors.lastname: Strongin AYa
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006639:Histidine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008239:Lysine / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006639:Histidine; D014364:Tryptophan; D008239:Lysine