Correspondence

Date:
1968-1969
Reference:
PP/CRI/E/1/17/4/2
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Correspondence. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (f) Interferon might interfere with the functioning of membrane-bound polysomes, normally concerned with secretions. This might be approached by inducing membrane formation with drugs such as barbiturates. It is not known whether interferon affects the secretion of proteins. (g) If 40% of cellular phospholipid is removed by clostridial phospholipase C, cellular protein and RNA synthesis may be normal but cells cannot produce S.F.V. - no viral RNA is formed. Is it possible that interferon affects lipids ? It would be interesting to know whether interferon affects the break out of SV40 from cells into which it has been incorporated in a non-productive fashion. If interferon were coupled to cellulose one might determine whether it could influence cells without entering them. The biological significance of interferon It was suggested that it might be an ancient method for checking over the RNA of a cell for foreign types possibly derived from virus invasion or from bacterial invaders or mitochondria established in the cytoplasm. Survival value against viruses might have maintained such a mechanism in multicellular organisms during evolution. D.A.J.T.