ABSTRACT
In the biological sense, biogenesis is the spontaneous assembly of program-controlled, self-reproducing fluid automata under prebiotic conditions. In order to understand this phenomenon, principles of the theory of fluid automata should be laid down, as well as those of cycle stoichiometry which makes the exact, quantitative design of such chemically organised fluid automata possible. In addition, we need a minimum model of programme-controlled, self-reproducing fluid automata, the so-called chemoton model. All this together ensures the possibility of studying biogenesis under the conditions assumed correct.
Subject(s)
Animals , Biochemical Phenomena , Biochemistry , Models, BiologicalABSTRACT
Combined intraperitoneal treatment of mice with poly I: C and a polycationic modified polypeptide (poly-DMAE-glutamine) was investigated. It was established that the presence of appropriate amounts of poly-DMAE-glutamine produced markedly enhanced serum interferon levels as compared to those produced by poly I: C alone. Similar combinations injected into mice produced full protection against lethal doses of mouse-virulent Semliki forest virus.
Subject(s)
Interferon Inducers , Interferons/blood , Peptides/pharmacology , Poly I-C/pharmacology , Animals , Arbovirus Infections/prevention & control , Glutamine , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Interferon Inducers/therapeutic use , Mice , Peptides/therapeutic use , Poly I-C/therapeutic use , Semliki forest virusABSTRACT
The potentiation of polyI:C induced viral resistance by various side group modified polycationic polyglutamic acid derivatives was investigated. It was established that the efficacy of the various polycationic substances depends primarily on their macromolecular properties. Viscosity and the degree of cationic substitution have been found to be of paramount importance. The maximal potentiating efficacy, expressed as the minimum protective dose of polyI:C necessary for complete protection of cells in the presence of the polycations, was exerted by compounds of highest viscosity and degree of subsitution. The potentiating efficacy of the polycationic derivatives tested could only be observed in a relatively narrow range of concentration, depending on their viscosity and degree of substitution. In view of the extremely low minimal protective dose of polyI:C (10(-5) mug/ml) in the presence of our most effective compound it is assumed that the action of a few molecules of polyI:C may be sufficient to render a cell resistant against viral infection. Within the limits of the described experiments, the efficacy of polycationic derivatives did not seem to be influenced by the modification (e.g. quaternarization) of the cationic group.
Subject(s)
Glutamates/pharmacology , Peptides/pharmacology , Poly I-C/pharmacology , Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus/growth & development , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry , Drug Synergism , Interferons/biosynthesis , L Cells , ViscosityABSTRACT
Polycationic modified derivatives of polyglutamic acid are at least as good enhancers of poly I:C induced viral resistance in various cell cultures as are DEAE-dextran or poly-L-lysine.
