In vitro Production of an Interferon-Like Inhibitor of Viral Multiplication by a Poikilothermic Animal Cell, The Tortoise (Testudo greca).

SummaryAn interferon-like substance liberated by tortoise kidney cells possesses some biological and physico-chemical properties previously described for interferons derived from virus-infected homeothermic animal cells. It is a cell-related protein which inhibits intracellular multiplication of related and unrelated viruses. The hypothesis that such substances might represent an early defense mechanism in phylogenetic evolution is discussed.