Open AccessInactivation of Lambda Phage Infectivity and Lambda Deoxyribonucleic Acid Transfection by N -Methyl-Isatin β-Thiosemicarbazone–Copper Complexes
Author(s) -
Warren Levinson,
Robert B. Helling
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.9.1.160
Subject(s) - isatin , semicarbazone , semicarbazide , infectivity , copper , chemistry , transfection , lambda phage , dna , moiety , stereochemistry , biochemistry , biology , virology , escherichia coli , organic chemistry , virus , gene , bacteriophage
The infectivity of intact lambda phage and transfection by lambda deoxyribonucleic acid were inactivated by exposure to the copper complexes ofN -methyl-isatin β-thiosemicarbazone, thiosemicarbazide, and semicarbazide, but not methyl-isatin. No inactivation was observed when these compounds were used in the absence of copper sulfate. This confirms our previous observation that the activity ofN -methyl-isatin β-thiosemicarbazone is mediated by its thiosemicarbazone moiety and that the presence of copper is required for action. This represents the first time, to our knowledge, that semicarbazide has been found to possess antiviral activity. It is clear that these compounds act directly on deoxyribonucleic acid; whether the compounds also act on proteins has not been determined.