Human interferons protect plants from virus infection.
Unfractionated human leukocyte interferon, as well as highly purified subspecies of this interferon, and a purified recombinant of human leukocyte interferon produced in bacteria are active in suppressing multiplicability of tobacco mosaic virus in tobacco leaf discs. Human fibroblast interferon exhibits diverse levels of antiviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus but becomes as active as human leukocyte interferon upon incubation with glycosidases. The effect of interferon is reversible; normal multiplication of tobacco mosaic virus resumes upon removal of interferon.
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010935:Plant Diseases; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D014026:Nicotiana; D014027:Tobacco Mosaic Virus / Q000254:growth & development; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*
D007372:Interferons