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EFFECTS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC CARCINOGENS ON VIRAL REPLICATION: SIMILARITY TO ACTINOMYCIN D

E DEMAEYER, J DEMAEYER-GUIGNARD

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 30, 1964
    PubMed

    Insights

    Certain carcinogenic hydrocarbons, like benzo[a]pyrene, inhibit DNA virus replication but not RNA virus replication. This suggests these compounds selectively interact with viral DNA, impacting viral growth.

    Area of Science:

    • Virology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Toxicology

    Background:

    • Carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons are known environmental contaminants.
    • Some hydrocarbons can interfere with cellular processes.
    • The impact of specific hydrocarbons on viral replication is not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of carcinogenic hydrocarbons on the replication of DNA and RNA viruses.
    • To determine if the observed effects are specific to DNA viruses.
    • To explore the mechanism of interaction between these hydrocarbons and viruses.

    Main Methods:

    • Incorporating carcinogenic hydrocarbons (benzo[a]pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) into nutrient overlays and liquid media for virus culture.
    • Assessing plaque formation and virus yields for herpes virus, vaccinia virus (DNA viruses), and Sindbis virus (RNA virus).
    • Testing noncarcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons (benzo[e]pyrene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, anthracene) for comparison.

    Main Results:

    • Carcinogenic hydrocarbons inhibited plaque formation and reduced yields of DNA viruses (herpes, vaccinia) but not RNA virus (Sindbis).
    • Noncarcinogenic analogs did not affect viral replication.
    • The observed effects on viral growth resemble those of actinomycin D.

    Conclusions:

    • Carcinogenic hydrocarbons selectively inhibit DNA virus replication.
    • These findings suggest a specific interaction between carcinogenic hydrocarbons and viral DNA.
    • The mechanism may involve interference with DNA-dependent processes, similar to actinomycin D.
    Keywords:
    ACTINOMYCINARBOVIRUSBENZANTHRACENESBENZOPYRENESCARCINOGENSDNA, VIRALEXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDYHERPESVIRUS HOMINISPHARMACOLOGYRNA, VIRALVACCINIA VIRUSVIRUS CULTIVATION

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