# INTERFERON, ANIMAL VIRUSES, AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 1989 · $250,680

## Abstract

Interferons are a family of proteins whose synthesis can be induced in
various vertebrate cells by treatment with any of a large variety of
inducers.  The interferons are released from the producing cells, they are
bound to specific cell surface receptors on other cells and alter various
characteristics of these cells.  We have isolated in the past several cDNA
clones that specify mRNAs whose levels are increased in cells exposed to
interferons.  We are continuing our studies on the mechanisms of gene
activation by interferons.  We are planning:  a) to clone various genes
activated by various interferons, b) to determine if the increase in the
level of particular mRNAs is a consequence of an increased frequency of
transcription or a decreased rate of turnover or both, c) to establish the
locations and sequences of DNA segments making the expression of particular
genes responsive to particular interferons, d) to attempt to identify and
characterize trans-acting elements mediating the activation of particular
genes by interferons, e) to test the function of proteins (which are
specified by the cloned genes) by transfection.

We have characterized in the past various enzymes and other proteins that
are induced by interferons.  Some of these were found to be located
primarily in the nuclear fraction of the cell extract.  We are planning:
a) to purify and characterize a "nuclear" (2'-5')(A)n synthetase and study
the reaction it catalyzes, b) to attempt to generate antibodies to the
"nuclear" (2'-5')(A)n synthetase for studies on I) the subcellular
localization of the enzyme, II) its relatedness (if any) to the cytoplasmic
(2'-5')(A)n synthetase and III) the nature of the nucleic acid to which it
is bound, and c) to identify further nuclear proteins induced by
interferons and to test these for binding to double stranded RNA,
(2'-5')(A)n, and GDP.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125169
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012320-15
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FL6GV84CKN57
- **Principal Investigator:** PETER LENGYEL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $250,680
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-10-01 → 1989-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125169

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125169, INTERFERON, ANIMAL VIRUSES, AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS (5R01AI012320-15). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125169. Licensed CC0.

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