Escherichia coli, strain AB 1157, cells are capable of translating human, mouse, and chicken messenter RNA for interferon with production of interferon of the corresponding specifity. This translation occurs in the presence of serum. The activity of the resulting interferon decreased in parallel to dilution of the original mRNA preparation, upon multiple ulitization of the mRNA solution, as well as upon reduction of the interferon- producing activity of cells-donors of mRNA due to prolonged storage of the cells. Unlike animal cells, the bacteria do not require pre-treatment with actinomycin D. The interferon translated by bacteria is inactivated by trypsin and resistant to ribonuclease.