Two levels of regulation of beta-interferon gene expression in human cells.

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Abstract
Alpha- and .beta.-interferon cDNA [complementary DNA] were cloned and used as specific probes to determine the relative levels of interferon mRNA in human fibroblast cells induced with poly(rI).cntdot.poly(rC) or Newcastle disease virus to synthesize interferon. Both inducers activated only the .beta.-interferon gene; the half life of .beta.-interferon mRNA in cells indicated with virus was substantially longer than in poly(rI).cntdot.poly(rC)-induced cells. The transcription rate of .beta.-interferon RNA sequences was examined in nuclei isolated from poly(rI).cntdot.poly(rC)-induced cells; it was found that the induction leads to transcriptional activation of the .beta.-interferon gene and that the active transcription of the .beta.-interferon gene continues during the shutoff period when no interferon synthesis or cytoplasmic .beta.mRNA are detected. The synthesis of .beta. interferon in poly(rI).cntdot.poly(rC)-induced human fibroblasts is apparently controlled both by activation of transcription of the .beta.-interferon gene and by alteration of the .beta.-interferon mRNA stability.