Induction of a refractory state to viral infection in mammalian cells by a plant inhibitor isolated from leaves of Melia azedarach L.

Abstract

A partially purified plant inhibitor (Meliacin) isolated from Melia azedarach L induced in cells a refractory state to virus infection. Meliacin was active in a large variety of continuous and/or primary cell cultures. A state of maximum virus resistance was achieved after 2 h of incubation and was maintained for at least 15 h; later on it declined but it was fully regained after a second pulse of Meliacin. Interferon was not detected in the supernatant of cells treated with Meliacin and a measurable increase in ds-RNA dependent protein kinase activity was not observed in extracts of Meliacin-treated cells. The antiviral state was not transferred by either extracellular fluid or direct cell-to-cell contact. An active cell metabolism was required for Meliacin action, which was partially reversed in the presence of actinomycin D. It appears that Meliacin is not an interferon-like substance, which induces an antiviral state based on a still unexplained mechanism.

• Authors: G M Andrei, E B Damonte, R A de Torres, C E Coto
• Journal: Antiviral research (Antiviral Res) Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 221-31 (Jul 1988) ISSN: 0166-3542 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 2462404 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Peptides
• Plant Proteins
• meliacin
• Interferons

Topics

• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Humans
• Interferons (biosynthesis)
• Kinetics
• Peptides
• Plant Proteins
• Plants (analysis)
• Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (drug effects, physiology)
• Virus Replication (drug effects)