Effect of ara-T on the replication of herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus.

Abstract

The thymidine analogue, 1-beta-arabinofuranosylthymine (ara-T), has previously been found to selectively inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication. At a relatively non-toxic concentration (50 microgram/ml), ara-T reduced HSV yields by a factor of 10,000-100,000. Ara-T was also effective in inhibiting the replication of variecella-zoster virus (VZV) in vitro in human embryo fibroblasts, completely preventing VZV-specific cytopathic effects (CPE). Ara-T reduced the cell-free virus and plaque-forming cell (PFC) yields of VZV as well as of the simian varicella-like virus, Delta herpesvirus. In contrast to HSV and VZV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication was relatively resistant to ara-T. Neither CPE nor the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into acid-insoluble material in CMV-infected cells was markedly affected. Interpretation of these results with regard to virus-induced deoxypyrimidine kinase is discussed.

• Authors: R L Miller, J P Iltis, F Rapp
• Journal: IARC scientific publications (IARC Sci Publ (1971)) Issue 24 Pt 2 Pg. 991-7 ( 1978) France
• PMID: 221418 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Arabinonucleosides
• DNA, Viral
• Thymidine

Topics

• Arabinonucleosides (pharmacology)
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytomegalovirus (drug effects)
• Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral (drug effects)
• DNA, Viral (biosynthesis)
• Embryo, Mammalian
• Fibroblasts
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (drug effects)
• Humans
• Simplexvirus (drug effects)
• Thymidine (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Virus Replication (drug effects)