title: Continuous production of interferon in normal mice: effect of anti-interferon globulin, sex, age, strain and environment on the levels of 2-5A synthetase and p67K kinase.
abstract: Two interferon-mediated enzymes, a 2-5A synthetase and a kinase that phosphorylates a 67 000 mol. wt. (p67K) protein were found at variable levels in different organs of mice. Among the different strains of mice included in this study, germ-free mice had the lowest levels of these enzymes. The levels of 2-5A synthetase and p67K kinase were enhanced significantly in all mice following treatment with mouse (alpha + beta) interferon. Here, we show that the presence of 2-5A synthetase and p67K kinase in different organs of normal mice (untreated) was due, at least in part, to a constant production of interferon under different physiological conditions. Accordingly, injection of normal mice with anti-mouse interferon (alpha + beta) globulin led to a significant decrease in the level of 2-5A synthetase and p67K kinase. In conventional mice (C3H/He), the level of both of these enzymes was higher in female than in male animals and was decreased with age or when such animals were reared isolated in a pathogen-free protected unit. The levels of 2-5A synthetase and p67K kinase were also decreased in normal mice following injection with a powerful antibiotic against a very wide spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These results suggest that the production of interferon was induced continuously in normal mice. Such induction was mediated by both internal and external agents.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galabru
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buffet-Janvresse
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rivière
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hovanessian
mesh_terms: D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000032:analysis*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000494:pharmacology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012712:Serum Globulins; D007372:Interferons; D011494:Protein Kinases; D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase; D002439:Cefotaxime