Index >> Animal Viruses >> Interferons

A virus entering a cell containing interferon cannot multiply. Interferons act against a wide variety of viruses, i.e., they are not virus specific. They are, however, species specific. Interferon from one organism does not give protection against viruses to cells of another organism.

Interferon affects viral synthesis by interfering with the binding of viral mRNA with ribosomes. Thus protein synthesis is inhibited, and new viruses cannot be formed. It is believed that interferon acts by inducing a cellular gene to produce an inhibitor, which then interferes with ribosome function. A single interferon molecule is sufficient to induce inhibitor formation