Effects of cycloheximide and puromycin on the antiviral and anticellular activities of human interferon.

Human leucocyte interferon has antiviral activity and anticellular effects on the transformed human cell lines, RSa and RSb. Treatment of the cells with cycloheximide or puromycin at 0-5 to 5-0 microgram/ml suppressed the antiviral action of interferon but increased its anticellular effects. Interferon also has antiviral activity in IFr cells, but this is relatively resistant to its anticellular action. Nevertheless, both drugs suppressed the antiviral activity of interferon and increased its anticellular action.