Degradation of rRNA in interferon-treated vaccinia virus-infected cells.

In interferon-treated mouse L cells, following infection with a DNA-containing virus, vaccinia, synthesis of unique 2'-5'-linked oligonucleotides of the general formula ppp5'A2'(p5'A)n, abbreviated as 2-5A, was detected by competition radiobinding assay. In addition, degradation of rRNA into discrete and characteristic products, similar to those produced by 2-5A-activated endonuclease, was observed. The degradation of rRNA may represent a significant component of antiviral action of interferon in vaccinia virus-infected cells.