Lack of correlation in the interferon-induced small Mw 2-5A synthetase mRNA levels and sensitivity of two L cell sublines to the antiviral and priming effects of interferon.

MuIFN-alpha/beta at a concentration of 0.5 IU/ml exerted both antiviral and priming effects in the B, but not in the M subline of L929 cells. This concentration of IFN did not affect the small size 2-5A synthetase mRNA levels in either sublines, as determined by a Northern blot technique. Pretreatment with 5 or 50 IU/ml IFN resulted in more pronounced antiviral and priming effects in the L929B than in the L929M cells. However, the enhancements of the 2-5A synthetase mRNA levels due to the pretreating IFN dose were similar in both sublines.