Poly interactions interferons

Actually it is doubtful that the antiviral properties of polyanions are based only on the interferon induction (46), since several groups have also demonstrated other activities of polyanions. Thus, e.g. poly(vinylsulfonate) has been found to interact with nucleic acids, thus inhibiting their acylation or methylation (47). Tempel (48) has shown that in mice phosphatases can be activated with poly(vinylsulfonate). 

Eight years before the role of d.s. RNA in interferon induction was appreciated, Felsenfeld and Huang described the formation of a stable complex between a d.s. RNA (A+U) and polylysine (Felsenfeld and Huang, 1970). Tsuboi and his associates (1966) later studied extensively the interaction r"" poly-L-lysine with poly I poly C. 

Some oligonucleotides do not act by interferon induction but rather by inhibition of proviral DNA synthesis, one of the most active being single stranded poly(A) [32, 33]. In view of the demonstrated activity of the poly(A)—Rh acetate complex in tumour systems [34] and its binding specificity for adenine nucleotides [35] (Section 6.2) the effect of highly specific metal complexes on this type of interaction is of considerable interest. The synthesis of complexes specific for singly stranded DNA, especially those with little antitumour effect, should be significant. 

Poly(inosinic acid) (periodate oxidized) (23) Hybridization with poly(cytidylic acid) for the interaction with cells and the production of interferon 91... 

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