Polyenzymatic activation of cellular hydrolases induced by interferon; its role in cell lysis and other interferon--related phenomena.

Treatment of human cultured T cells by interferon (IFN), which enhances cell-mediated cytotoxicity directed against human K562 cell targets (NK-like activity) induces an activation of cell hydrolases. Treatment of mouse cultured L929 cells by IFN and double strand RNA enhancing cell autolysis induces first an activation of tested hydrolases (hexosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases). Polyenzymatic activation of hydrolases induced by IFN is similar to coordinate enzymatic induction described by Hosli which occurs by lack of specific enzyme when non-digestible substrates are absorbed by cells. It is hypothesized that the polyenzymatic activation which accounts for cell lysis is a general defense mechanism which might also explain other actions related to IFN such as antiviral effect, inhibition of cell division, diminution of protein synthesis and cell surface alteration.