Biosynthesis of mouse interferon by translation of its messenger RNA in a cell-free system

A fraction of mouse RNA containing messenger RNA coding for mouse interferon was translated with high efficiency in a wheat germ system into a fully active product. This product fulfills the criteria for mouse interferon, namely: (1) it was active against vesicular stomatitis virus and herpes simplex virus in mouse cells; (2) its antiviral activity was species specific; (3) its activity was completely neutralized by mouse anti-interferon serum. The synthesis of interferon in this cell-free system requires the presence of spermine.