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Effect of ribosome-inactivating proteins on virus-infected cells. Inhibition of virus multiplication and of protein synthesis

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HEp-2 cells were infected with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) or with poliovirus I in the presence of plant proteins which inactivate ribosomes in cell-free systems, while exerting scarce effect on whole cells. Ribosome-inactivating proteins used were gelonin, from the seeds ofGelonium multiflorum, an inhibitor from the seeds ofMomordica charantia, dianthin 32, from the leaves ofDianthus caryophyllus (carnation), and PAP-S, from the seeds ofPhytolacca americana (pokeweed). All proteins tested had the following effects: 1. They reduced viral yield; 2. They decreased HSV-1 plaque-forming efficiency; 3. They inhibited protein synthesis more in infected than in uninfected cells. These results strongly suggest that ribosome-inactivating proteins impair viral replication by inhibiting protein synthesis in virus-infected cells, in which presumably they enter more easily than in uninfected cells.

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Foà-Tomasi, L., Campadelli-Fiume, G., Barbieri, L. et al. Effect of ribosome-inactivating proteins on virus-infected cells. Inhibition of virus multiplication and of protein synthesis. Archives of Virology 71, 323–332 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01315062

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01315062

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