[Hydrolysis and the inactivation of double-stranded polyribonucleotides by monkey blood serum]

The effect of Macaca rhesus monkey blood serum on double-stranded polyribonucleotide complexes poly (I).poly (C), poly (G).poly (C), and poly (G,I).poly (C) was studied. The poly (I).poly (C) complex was found to be the most sensitive to hydrolysis as indicated by a decrease of the molecular weight, accumulation of acid-soluble products and a sharp decline of the antiviral and interferon-inducing activities in tissue culture after incubation of the complex in the presence of the serum at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. The poly (G).poly (C) complex was the most stable, and retained its original activity in tissue culture and a high molecular weight after 3-hour incubation with the serum. The interferon-inducing activity of all the complexes under study assayed by intravenous injection in a dose of 2 mg to M. rhesus monkeys was similarly low irrespective of their sensitivity to the serum. Conjectural species features of the interferon induction system in monkeys are discussed.