Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase induction of interferon (alpha + beta) and its reversal by dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Interferon (alpha + beta) given to C3H/HeN mice intraperitoneally inhibited increases in the activities of adenylate cyclase and ornithine decarboxylase after partial hepatectomy. The inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase was prevented by administration of dibutyryl cAMP. Core (2'-5')oligo(adenylate), i.e. A2'p5'A2'p5'A or (A2'p)2A, as well as interferon inhibited the increases in these two enzymes caused by partial hepatectomy. The inhibition by (A2'p)2A of ornithine decarboxylase activity was reversed by dibutyryl cAMP. These results suggested that the activity of interferon was similar to that of (A2'p)2A and that the inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase induction caused by these agents resulted from the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity.